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Monday, April 27, 2009
A Letter To The Editor
I attended tonight’s city Council meeting and had the opportunity to speak publicly my opinion on Urban Salisbury. I have never attended a council meeting of any kind in my 55 years, but I want you to know that because you and Jim Ireton informed me of facts and possible outcomes, I used my constitutional right to free speech to press an agenda that needed to be passed.
As a county resident 100 yards from the city line, I would not usually even be aware of the council agenda, and neither would my daughter who is an SU student and town homeowner, if not for you.
Because you do what you do, my daughter and I counted 64 attendees in the chambers, and 8 or 9 outside who were not able to get in to the room.
With this showing vs. the usual 6-15 attendees, Urban Salisbury lives to continue their good work for our community.
I would like to present this meeting as an example to the citizens of Salisbury that even though this measure was on the old “3-2” fast track, tonight the world changed because of public outcome. Let this be a precedent: keep up with the agenda and be there to comment on it. The Council has to listen to the public. If “public” ain’t there, well, it’s 3-2.
I’m so proud of Urban Salisbury’s work!
Tonight “WE” beat “3-2”.
Gary Bullard
G. Bullard Const. Co.
30423 Bennett Rd.
Salisbury, MD 21804
T: 443-523-0029
F: 206-339-3183
BullardCC@Gmail.com
www.gbbuildgreen.com
Few Details Known In Townsend Shooting
Location of Incident: 1100 block of East Founds Street, Townsend Village II, Townsend, Delaware, New Castle County
Date and Time of Occurrence: Monday, April 27, 2009, at approximately 6:07 p.m.
Suspect(s): two black male suspects in a dark colored Ford sedan
Resume: At approximately 6:00 p.m. this evening, Troopers responded to the 1100 block of East Founds Street in Townsend Village II for the report of a shooting.
According to the victim, a 22 year old male subject, he had left his home and was walking his dog when a dark colored Ford sedan drove up along side him. Inside, the victim said the Ford was occupied by two black male subjects who addressed the victim and told him not to walk in the roadway. A verbal argument ensued and one of the subjects in the car produced a gun.
The victim saw the firearm and started to run away on foot when the gunman unleashed approximately five rounds at the victim- striking him in the buttocks. The suspect vehicle then fled the scene in an unknown direction.
The victim was transported to Christiana Hospital where he was treated for his injury- which was considered non-life threatening.
Anyone with information pertaining to this case is asked to call Troop 2 at 302-834-2630 ext. 7 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.
2,000 people In Mexico Hospitalized With Serious Pneumonia...
Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that so far the disease in the U.S. seems less severe than the outbreak in Mexico, where more than 1,600 cases have been reported and where the suspected death toll has climbed to 149. No deaths have been reported in the U.S, and only one hospitalization.
"I wouldn't be overly reassured by that," Dr. Besser told reporters at CDC's headquarters in Atlanta. He raised the possibility of more severe cases -- and deaths -- in the U.S.
GO HERE to read more.
Prostate Cancer Risk Slashed With New Drug
In a large international study, dutasteride, sold as Avodart, lowered the chances of a prostate cancer diagnosis by 23 percent after four years of use.
Tens of thousands of men each year face a problem like those in the study: worrisome results from prostate cancer screening tests and biopsies that come back negative.
GO HERE to read more.
5 Charged In 'Nightmare' $70M Mortgage Scheme (Maryland)
Associated Press Writer Brian Witte
BALTIMORE – More than 1,000 people were defrauded out of about $70 million by a group advertising the dream of homeownership in what turned out to be a nightmare Ponzi scheme, federal and Maryland officials said Monday.
Five officers for Laurel, Md.-based Metro Dream Homes company are accused of tricking homeowners into pouring money into the business with the promise that the revenue would be used to pay off their mortgages. The scheme ran from 2005 until October 2007, authorities said.
Newly confirmed Assistant U.S. Attorney General Lanny Breuer said the charges should send a message to those engaging in mortgage fraud.
"Our resolve as a group is great," he said at a news conference in Washington. "We will find you. We will prosecute you, and we're going to put you in prison."
The indictment names company founder Andrew Hamilton Williams Jr., 58, of Hollywood, Fla.; financial officer Michael Anthony Hickson, 46, of Commack, N.Y.; president Isaac Jerome Smith, 46, of Spotsylvania, Va.; and vice president Alvita Karen Gunn, 31, of Hanover, Md. They had 48 hours to turn themselves in.
GO HERE to read more.
STATE POLICE GEARING UP TO WALK LIKE MADD
Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2009, three teams of troopers and civilian personnel from the Maryland State Police will participate in Walk Like MADD, a 5K walk through downtown Baltimore. The three teams are MSP Aviation Command, MSP Crash Team and Team MSP. Personnel are participating on behalf of the Department’s three fallen comrades of 2009: Corporal Retired/Pilot Steve Bunker, Trooper First Class Mickey Lippy, and First Sergeant Tobin Triebel.
Law enforcement and MADD continues to strengthen it’s partnership for collaboration in saving lives. Every year, nearly 13,000 people are killed by drunk drivers with an illegal alcohol level of .08 BAC or above. That means that every month more than 1,000 families must live with the tragic consequences of drunk driving. Every step taken and pledge made through Walk Like MADD will raise funds and awareness in support of the mission to eliminate the tragedy of drunk driving and the prevention of underage drinking.
The Maryland State Police Aviation flight crews transport many victims of alcohol related crashes on a daily basis. To date, there have been 130,000 total missions which include medevac, search and rescue and law enforcement missions. The world renowned system is part of Maryland’s unique integration of emergency response services that include first responders, paramedics, nurses and doctors at trauma centers and hospitals across the state. The Aviation Command provides around-the-clock service throughout Maryland.
The Maryland State Police Crash Team is a unit comprised of state troopers who are trained in all levels of collision investigation and reconstruction. They are responsible for the investigation of serious and fatal crashes throughout Maryland. They also provide around-the-clock service throughout Maryland.
Team MSP is comprised of state police personnel from a variety of units in the Department who are participating to support the mission of both law enforcement and MADD. Donations to any of the three teams can be made at http://www.walklikemadd.com/.
3 Years Ago Today
One Year Ago Today
Strawberry In Trouble Again!
Without a doubt there will surely be more to come on this Strawberry guy.
State Police Probe Rehoboth Jewelry Store Robbery
Rehoboth Beach – The Delaware State Police are investigating a robbery of a local jewelry store that occurred last evening at Khalsa Jewelers located in the Seaside Outlets.
Troopers responded to the call at approximately 6:46 pm after an employee called 911 reporting the robbery. Investigators learned a Hispanic male entered the store carrying a wheeled suitcase and approached the clerk posing as a customer. The suspect requested to see a piece of jewelry and when the clerk opened the display case he produced a handgun. He pointed it at the clerk and demanded jewelry.
The clerk complied with the lone robber and gave him various jewelry pieces from display cases and a safe. Afterward, the robber ordered the clerk into the rear of the store and fled the area.
Photographs of the suspect have been obtained and are attached with the release. The suspect has been described as a Hispanic male, 5’02” to 5’ 6”, 120 to 140 lbs, yellow baseball hat, yellow t-shirt with President Obama’s face on the front of it, baggy dark jeans with light colored suspenders that hung around the buttocks area.
Anyone with information on the identity of this person or that has knowledge of the incident is urged to call detectives at Troop 4 at 302.856.5850 ext 210 or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.TIP.3333. Tips may also be forwarded to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or on line at www.tipsubmit.com.
Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases
The Following individuals were arrested by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office on Arrest Warrants 20 April – 26 April 2009
Arrest Warrants
Thomas J. Barrow Jr., 55, Harrisonburg, VA; Sex Offender – Failure to Register Address Change, $10,000.00 bond
Tremaine Collins, 27, Laurel, DE; Theft under $500 / Assault 2nd degree, released on personal recognizance
Raymond J. Murray, 19, Salisbury, MD; Possession of Contraband in WCDC/ Possession of a Concealed Deadly Weapon, $3,500.00 bond
Rodney Chester Pitts, 24, Salisbury, MD; Assault 2nd degree / Disorderly Conduct, $20,000.00 bond
Eric Lee Jones, 31, Greenwood, DE; Assault 1st Degree / Handgun in Vehicle, held $250,000.00 bond
Bradley Daniel Atkins, 26, Salisbury, MD; Sell/Furnish Alcohol to Minor, released on personal recognizance
Failure to Appear Bench Warrant
Melanie Beth North, 38, Salisbury, MD; FTA Possession of Marijuana, Held without bond
Melanie Beth North, 38, Salisbury, MD; FTA – Prostitution, held without bond
Montire Lamont Brown, 31, Salisbury, MD; FTA – Criminal Contempt – turned over to Worcester County
Jennifer Lynn Hutt, 30, Princess Anne, MD; Failure to Pay Fine, $257.50 bond
Christopher M. Hill, 23, Fruitland, MD; FTA, Drive Revoked, $3,000 bond
Christopher M. Hill, 23, Fruitland, MD; FTA, Assault 2nd / MDOP, $100,000.00 bond
Anthony Wayne Donoway, 23, Parsonsburg, MD; FTA – for a VOP hearing for Possession of Marijuana, Held without bond
Richard Roy Mason, 50, Delmar, MD; FTA – Theft / Forgery, held $50,000.00 bond
Michael Anthony Melvin, 41, Salisbury, MD; FTA – VOP Hearing on CDS w/ Intent to Distribute, held without bond.
Michael Anthony Mason, 41, Salisbury, MD; FTA – VOP hearing on Obstruct Hinder/ Flee and Elude, held without bond.
Violation of Probation Bench Warrant
Brian Michael Smith, 23, Rhodesdale, MD; VOP – Trespassing, $1,000.00 bond
Eric Ryan Aurelio, 27, VOP – Possession of CDS, held $25,000.00 bond
Thomas J. Barrow Jr., 55, Harrisonburg, VA; VOP – Third Degree Sex Offense, $5,000.00 bond
Christopher M. Hill, 23, Fruitland, MD; VOP – Assault 1st / DUI, $25,000.00 bond
Antwine L. Nelson, 25, Salisbury, MD; VOP – Distribution of CDS, $5,000.00 bond
Melissa Rae Nuse, 25, Delmar, MD; VOP – Possession of CDS, held without bond
Marice S. Harrison, 19, Salisbury, MD; VOP – Unauthorized Use, held $10,00o bond
Nicole Marie White, 28, Crownsville, MD; VOP – Fraud / Credit Card Personation, held without bond
Terrell Duane Strawberry, 29, Mardela Springs, MD; VOP- CDS possession, held $25,000.00
Circuit Court Juvenile Attachment
Juvenile, 17, Salisbury, MD; Attachment for FTA, held Lower Shore Children’s Center
Juvenile, 17, Salisbury, MD; Attachment for Violation of Electronic Monitoring, held Lower Shore Children’s Center
Fugitive from Another State
Antonio Quinn White, Sr., 38, Salisbury, MD; Fugitive from Delaware, Theft over $500, held without bond pending extradition to DE
Incident: Disorderly Conduct
Date of Incident: 24 April 2009
Location: Riverside Drive at Crestview Drive
Suspect: Susan L. Stanley, 41, Tyaskin, MD
Narrative: On 24 April 2009 at 10:30 PM, deputies investigated an altercation that was taking place in the roadway on Riverside Drive in the area of Crestview Drive in Salisbury. Upon their arrival, they met with two subjects who were yelling at each other. Because of the late hour, the deputies asked the subjects to lower their voices to prevent disturbing the residents. One of the subjects, Susan Stanley, did not cease her yelling and began drawing attention from residents in the area.
Stanley was arrested for Disorderly Conduct and transported to the Central Booking Unit where she was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Stanley was released on Personal Recognizance.
Charges: Disorderly Conduct
Incident: Disorderly Conduct
Date of Incident: 25 April 2009
Location: 4500 block of Pheasant Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Aaron J. Pederson, 22, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 25 April 2009 at 1203 AM, deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported large party creating a disturbance in the 4500 block of Pheasant Drive, Salisbury, MD. After the deputies responded, the party ceased for the evening and many of the party goers awaited transportation outside of the residence. One of those subjects, Aaron Pederson, became very loud and was repeatedly told by one of the deputies to lower the level of his voice. Each time Pederson would comply for a short while, but would raise his voice to a level that was obviously disturbing to other people living in the neighborhood that were trying to sleep. Because of his refusal to heed the deputy’s advice and keep the level of his voice low, Pederson was arrested.
Pederson was transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Pederson was released on Personal Recognizance.
Charges:
Disorderly Conduct
Failure to Comply with request of Law Enforcement
Incident: Indecent Exposure
Date of Incident: 25 April 2009
Location: Poplar Hill Avenue, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Jon R. Vass, 37, Crisfield, MD
Narrative: On 25 April 2009 at 6:33 PM, a deputy on patrol in the area of the Salisbury Festival, observed an individual later identified as Jon R. Vass, urinating and exposing his genitals in full view of other festival patrons. The deputy made contact with Vass and placed him under arrest.
Vass was transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Vass was detained by the Commissioner in lieu of $3,000.00 bond.
Charges: Indecent Exposure
Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 26 April 2009
Location: 1000 block of East Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Zqueesha V. Tilghman, 20, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 26 April 2009 at 11:45 AM, deputies from the WCSO responded to a reported altercation inside a residence in the 1000 block of East Road. Upon arrival they located a victim who alleged to have been assaulted by a cohabitant, Zqueesha Tilghman. Investigation revealed that the victim and Tilghman became involved in a verbal altercation that turned physical. The deputy observed signs of injury on that victim that corroborated her account.
Tilghman was arrested an transported to the Central Booking Unit where she was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Tilghman was detained by the Commissioner in the Detention Center in lieu of $15,000.00 bond.
Charges: Assault 2nd Degree
SALISBURY: IT’S AN IMPORTANT PUBLIC POLICY ISSUE
1. Emergency funding for Urban Salisbury ($11,000) that Barrie Tilghman opposed.
2. Funding to “restore” the obsolete and abandoned standpipe ($135,000) that Barrie Tilghman proposed.
Cast your vote with a comment and show up at the City Council tonight.
Mayor Barrie Tilghman Sues Blogger Joe Albero
The time has finally come! Tomorrow morning marks the grand day in which Barrie Tilghman and I will go head to head in District Court. This has been a long time coming Folks. A lot of money has been spent on lawyers and I for one am ready to rumble! I promised everyone that I would give you the heads up. I know of quite a few people who will be coming to this event at 9:00 AM, so don't expect comments to be moderated Tuesday morning.
The former Mayor Tilghman doesn't have 1/4 the case Webster did, so this should be quite dramatic and interesting. Anyone who believes their reputation is only worth $9,999.00, well, they must not be very much of an honorable person to start with. Barrie's stratagie, NO JURY! She would never want to go up against 12 people because she knows most of them can't stand her anyway. So roll the dice and stick with one Judge. Sounds like a plan to me.
Anyhow, I am truly looking forward to getting this over with and behind us. I hope the rest of the Bloggers out there appreciate what I've done here because it would have been cheaper just to stroke Barrie Tilghman a check and chalk it up to advertising. Instead, we're going head to head defending our First Amendment Right and we'll see how things turn out tomorrow. See you there.
More on today's Daily Times article later.....
Congressman Frank Kratovil Jams With Test Kitchen At Flavors
Congressman Frank Kratovil came to Salisbury on Friday to celebrate the opening of the the Salisbury Festival. I'll post more about that later. In the mean time our friend Champs took the best shots of Frank jamming with the Band and quite frankly he's damn good. Gotta wonder about those who make statements like, keep your day job. Sounds like Frank could do both!
Anyhow, Frank is proving to be an all around decent guy who's pretty down to earth. What is it about Democrats that can play instruments so well. Is there a pattern here?
Thanks for visiting Frank and giving everyone a great show.
Dave Suiter "On The Road Again"
Hi Folks,
All is well and still heading east.
Last two days have been catch up for the weather gods. Sock it to 'em time!!!!!!
Left Burley, ID for Wyoming Saturday AM. OK ride until I got outside of Ogden,UT. It had been breezy but all of the sudden the wind really gusted and temp fell. Hit blowing snow, pouring rain, hail and more snow as I went through Ogden and over another mountain. About an hour west of Laramie,WY the wind gusts were blowing me from right side of right lane into left lane. Started looking for motel!! Pictures of trucks passing me kept going through my head. TWC had gusts to 52mph!! Not good!!!!
At Laramie, TWC said wind and snow showers next AM.
Left Laramie and started east. 50 miles to Cheyenne took me 2 1/2 hours. SNOW! WIND!! WHITE OUTS!! Wanted to turn back but when they plowed night before, the "NO U-TURNS" were still snowed in.Had to keep going and SLOWLY!! At a few points. White Outs made visability about 20 feet. I could still see rumbles on right side of road so I followed them, rode in truck tracks and tried to stay out of slush and drifts.
As I've said, This is my last BIG RIDE. This 2 1/2 hour ride from hell makes that a promise to me and my wife.
Pics are typical of central WY and western NE. Only two pics because of weather which has been very cloudy ( except for 1 hour today). Interstates are not my favorite way to travel unless one wants to make time. The ride west on US 50 is the way to go. Through rural America!!
In Grand Island,NE and on to Moline,IL to say HI to Suiter Family association friend.
Next day on to Indy to visit Scott, 1957 High School grad and classmate.
Depending on RAIN, will try to run 700 miles to home Wednesday from Indy.
Miss my Honey!!
Later, Dave
Highlights Of The Salisbury Festival
I don't think there was a single politician representing the Eastern Shore that missed the ribbon cutting ceremony for the kick off of the Salisbury Festival this past weekend.
Mayor Ireton received one hell of a reception and applause when they announced his name and clearly the citizens are pleased with their new choice for Mayor of Salisbury.
The crowd was much smaller this year than in years past but everyone knows how hard the Eastern Shore has been hit in this recession. That being said, the crowd all together wasn't too bad, considering we just had Pork in the Park a week earlier.
Hopefully the vendors were happy and it seemed everyone was having a good time all in all.
Think TV's Bad Now?
Bruce Springsteen said it right when he told the judge, “Fifty-seven channels and nuthin's on.”
Television shows today often do suck, especially daytime network fare, but no matter how terrible they seem to be, they'll never come close to what was probably the worst daytime show in TV history: Queen For A Day.
Described as television's answer to Ed Wood's crowning film achievement, Plan Nine From Outer Space, QFD, originally a high-ratings radio show, was a bizarre but very popular alternative to the two o'clock (Eastern) TV soap operas of the 'fifties.
Filmed at the Moulin Rouge in downtown Hollywood, against a backdrop of velvet curtains and a gilded throne, three woman contestants were introduced to the audience by slimy-looking emcee Jack Bailey. Each then told her sad, sad story to Bailey's handheld microphone, urged along by him with nonsensical comments and often cruel quips. (He sounded like a cross between a big city social services worker with an attitude and a carnival barker - which he once was.) All of the shows were heavily sprinkled (at $4,000 a minute) with on-stage advertisements for every product imaginable, from laxatives to vacuum cleaners. Episodes even had a fashion segment, hosted by none other than Jimmy Cagney's sister, Jeanne, who evidently couldn't find steady work elsewhere.
After each of the contestants had her few minutes of describing the details of an unusually pathetic or unlucky life, and telling Jack what prize would make life more tolerable for them (never did any of them choose a few good sessions of psychotherapy), it came time to award the crown and robe and to put that day's queen on her throne. The audience did the choosing with sympathy applause, its volume registered on the Applause-o-Meter, a device used on several other TV game shows. The sadder the story, the louder the applause. The louder the applause, the farther up the scale the needle moved on the meter. High scorer won.
When the applause died, the orchestra's music came up and Jack announced the name of that episode's winner. Losers were hustled off-stage. She was crowned and cloaked, a dozen roses pushed into her arms and then led up the steps to her throne. There, with the applause light blinking brightly, she was showered with a wide array of possibly useful gifts (almost always including a washing machine), each described in detail by Jack, and presented by one of six or seven oddly clad models (think velveteen, rabbit fur and spike heels.) The show closed with a fade to black from a close-up of the teary-eyed and confused-looking queen, with Bailey saying, "Make every woman a queen, for every single day!"
Only seven episodes of this unique show are known to exist. You can view one of them from 1960 HERE.
Graffiti Makes A Return To Salisbury
There's a reason I chose to publish some of the Press Releases from the Delaware State Police referencing graffiti last week. I wanted everyone to see that other Police Departments are taking graffiti seriously.
While Downtown Salisbury has been plagued with this tagging over the past two or three years, the City had refused to work with the County in joint legislation to assure the removal of such graffiti within 24 hours. Hopefully the new Mayor will meet with States Attorney Davis Ruark and finally create an understanding jointly to rid of such tagging soon.
Delaware Electric Cooperative "Peak Alert"
5 P.M. to 9 P.M., Tonight, April 27
Because of the warmer than normal temperatures over our region, between the hours of 7 P.M. and 9 P.M. tonight, April 27 we are asking you to delay the usage of all unnecessary lights or appliances during these hours as well as turning your thermostat up 3 degrees.
While the largest consumers of electricity in the home during these hours and during this type of hot weather are cooling costs and lighting, other large consumers of electricity include major appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, clothes dryers, hot water heaters and stoves.
By delaying the use of unnecessary lighting and appliances as well as adjusting your thermostat up 3 degrees between 7 P.M. and 9 P.M. tonight, April 27, we can save energy resources, avoid high cost energy and help the environment.
We thank you for your help. Together we can “Beat The Peak”