DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Major Post Tomorrow Morning
Put your seat belts on at 9:05 AM Sunday morning. It's a long one, very detailed and very informative.
Do YOU Want Chief Webster Terminated?
Have you or anyone close to you been a victim of crime in Salisbury? Are you a fedup citizen? Stop complaining on this or any other blog. Get off your butts and go to the city council meeting Monday night at 6:00pm and let Jim Ireton and the Council majority know exactly how you feel.
Stop making excuses and pointing a finger at Ireton. Do your part. Like anything else in life, if you want it, you have to work to get it. Make Comegys, Smith and Shields know you are sick and tired of business as usual. Stop letting them work against the citizens of Salisbury.
Monday night, August 24th at 6:00 pm at the GOB. BE THERE and BE HEARD! Don't rely on others to speak for you. Speak for yourself.
Stop making excuses and pointing a finger at Ireton. Do your part. Like anything else in life, if you want it, you have to work to get it. Make Comegys, Smith and Shields know you are sick and tired of business as usual. Stop letting them work against the citizens of Salisbury.
Monday night, August 24th at 6:00 pm at the GOB. BE THERE and BE HEARD! Don't rely on others to speak for you. Speak for yourself.
A Comment Worthy Of A Post
Mayor Wannabe Ireton do you remember this article?
March 27, 2009
Mayor challenges Ireton on city crime statistics
By Laura D'Alessandro
Staff Writer
SALISBURY -- No apology is forthcoming after Mayor Barrie Parsons Tilghman requested mayoral candidate Jim Ireton back up campaign statements she characterized as false or apologize to city employees.
Tilghman said Thursday Ireton's statements regarding crime and code enforcement were demoralizing, taking away from the pride city employees feel for their jobs.
The mayor and Salisbury Police Chief Allan Webster have made several attempts to reach Ireton for one-on-one conversations, but were ignored. Webster sent an e-mail to Ireton on March 18 citing the differences in their crime data, but said he received no response.
Tilghman said because of Ireton's refusals to sit down and talk, she was forced to bring the dispute to the public arena.
"Jim Ireton leaves me no choice," she said. "As mayor, if he knows something I don't, I need to know. If there are facts out there to back this up, give them to me."
In response, Ireton said, "How can you apologize for something that is true."
The former city councilman said statistics on the Federal Bureau of Investigations uniform crime report Web site speak for themselves.
Ireton and Webster draw their conclusions from the same source, but interpret the data differently. Ireton cites the per capita statistics and statewide rankings, while Webster measures Salisbury's raw data from year to year -- and both may be right. Serious crime may be down from 2006 to 2007 as Webster and Tilghman said, but overall crime may be on the rise as Ireton says. It all depends on how the data is viewed, and who's viewing it.
Tilghman also cited Ireton's critique of Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance, a city department which Tilghman said has drastically improved the quality of life in Salisbury over the years. But Ireton has said the department is not strict enough and allows blight to continue to bring crime and gangs into neighborhoods. Tilghman wants proof.
Tilghman invited Ireton to come on the radio with her, on WICO-AM 1320, to provide taxpayers with evidence. Ireton likened the experience to a mouse crawling into a den of lions, and has yet to accept the invitation.
"Why isn't anyone asking her why she's running Gary Comegys' campaign for him?" Ireton said.
But Tilghman described her news conference Thursday as part of her mayoral duty, to stand up for the city and its employees, though she did not deny her support for Ireton's opponent, Salisbury City Council Vice President Gary Comegys.
Or better yet Jimmy do you remember this article? Proof positive that you are a whimp and a bag of hot air!
March 20, 2009
Webster calls out Ireton on crime
FBI report: Salisbury's serious crime down 8 percent, but candidates' takes are different
By Laura D'Alessandro
Staff Writer
SALISBURY -- Mayoral candidate Jim Ireton and Salisbury Police Chief Allan Webster are drawing crime statistics from the same databank, yet one says crime is on the rise, while the other says it's headed down.
Webster said the 2007 Federal Bureau of Investigations Uniform Crime Report -- which Ireton has said is his source as well for crime data -- shows serious crime down by 8 percent since the year prior. Ireton's response: "It is wholly inappropriate for Chief (Alan) Webster to be engaged in the political process."
Ireton's campaign literature also includes a push for the reopening of neighborhood substations -- small police posts scattered throughout the city in which officers are stationed -- saying they provide a form of community policing that would offer a first line of defense in the city's neighborhoods. But Webster says since their closure, statistics show declines in crime in most every neighborhood.
"I would hope anyone campaigning understands their first job is to give the public true facts, and I would hope that is being done," Webster said.
In response, Ireton did not directly address the police chief's concern, saying he was appalled by Webster's interjection into campaign rhetoric.
"In my administration, I won't use department heads for political purposes," he said.
Webster said since Ireton's campaign, the mayoral hopeful has maintained a position that crime is on the rise in Salisbury. Webster said he felt it necessary to defend the work of his agency, this week releasing crime data from the FBI's Uniform Crime Report and e-mailing those figures to Ireton for a response. Webster said Ireton responded only by saying that he looked forward to working with him when he becomes mayor.
The chief says he pressed the issue, replying to Ireton by asking him if he truly thinks crime has increased.
"He didn't respond," Webster said.
"Salisbury is a good community, and I hate to see people tear Salisbury down or say bad things about this city," he said. "We are bringing crime down, and I'm not going to just sit here and not say anything. The stats are the stats. I don't make up the stats. Crime is down and that is a direct reflection of this community and its police department."
Ireton's opponent, City Council Vice President Gary Comegys, joined Webster's praise for the Salisbury Police Department and said crime is down to the level he saw it in 2001 and 2002 thanks to more experienced officers and the discontinuation of a revolving-door trend in the department.
"Our crime rate is still not where I'd like to see it, but I think we've made improvements over the past few years," he said. "For Mr. Ireton to say that crime hasn't been affected by those efforts is false."
Ireton did not provide a response, but said in a forum Thursday hosted by the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce that he will present a "Make Salisbury the Safest City in the State" plan next week.
Comegys detailed his ideas to continue tackling crime in a news conference Tuesday as part of his "One Salisbury" initiative, calling for a regional approach to fighting crime and the institution of a revamped neighborhood watch program.
March 27, 2009
Mayor challenges Ireton on city crime statistics
By Laura D'Alessandro
Staff Writer
SALISBURY -- No apology is forthcoming after Mayor Barrie Parsons Tilghman requested mayoral candidate Jim Ireton back up campaign statements she characterized as false or apologize to city employees.
Tilghman said Thursday Ireton's statements regarding crime and code enforcement were demoralizing, taking away from the pride city employees feel for their jobs.
The mayor and Salisbury Police Chief Allan Webster have made several attempts to reach Ireton for one-on-one conversations, but were ignored. Webster sent an e-mail to Ireton on March 18 citing the differences in their crime data, but said he received no response.
Tilghman said because of Ireton's refusals to sit down and talk, she was forced to bring the dispute to the public arena.
"Jim Ireton leaves me no choice," she said. "As mayor, if he knows something I don't, I need to know. If there are facts out there to back this up, give them to me."
In response, Ireton said, "How can you apologize for something that is true."
The former city councilman said statistics on the Federal Bureau of Investigations uniform crime report Web site speak for themselves.
Ireton and Webster draw their conclusions from the same source, but interpret the data differently. Ireton cites the per capita statistics and statewide rankings, while Webster measures Salisbury's raw data from year to year -- and both may be right. Serious crime may be down from 2006 to 2007 as Webster and Tilghman said, but overall crime may be on the rise as Ireton says. It all depends on how the data is viewed, and who's viewing it.
Tilghman also cited Ireton's critique of Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance, a city department which Tilghman said has drastically improved the quality of life in Salisbury over the years. But Ireton has said the department is not strict enough and allows blight to continue to bring crime and gangs into neighborhoods. Tilghman wants proof.
Tilghman invited Ireton to come on the radio with her, on WICO-AM 1320, to provide taxpayers with evidence. Ireton likened the experience to a mouse crawling into a den of lions, and has yet to accept the invitation.
"Why isn't anyone asking her why she's running Gary Comegys' campaign for him?" Ireton said.
But Tilghman described her news conference Thursday as part of her mayoral duty, to stand up for the city and its employees, though she did not deny her support for Ireton's opponent, Salisbury City Council Vice President Gary Comegys.
Or better yet Jimmy do you remember this article? Proof positive that you are a whimp and a bag of hot air!
March 20, 2009
Webster calls out Ireton on crime
FBI report: Salisbury's serious crime down 8 percent, but candidates' takes are different
By Laura D'Alessandro
Staff Writer
SALISBURY -- Mayoral candidate Jim Ireton and Salisbury Police Chief Allan Webster are drawing crime statistics from the same databank, yet one says crime is on the rise, while the other says it's headed down.
Webster said the 2007 Federal Bureau of Investigations Uniform Crime Report -- which Ireton has said is his source as well for crime data -- shows serious crime down by 8 percent since the year prior. Ireton's response: "It is wholly inappropriate for Chief (Alan) Webster to be engaged in the political process."
Ireton's campaign literature also includes a push for the reopening of neighborhood substations -- small police posts scattered throughout the city in which officers are stationed -- saying they provide a form of community policing that would offer a first line of defense in the city's neighborhoods. But Webster says since their closure, statistics show declines in crime in most every neighborhood.
"I would hope anyone campaigning understands their first job is to give the public true facts, and I would hope that is being done," Webster said.
In response, Ireton did not directly address the police chief's concern, saying he was appalled by Webster's interjection into campaign rhetoric.
"In my administration, I won't use department heads for political purposes," he said.
Webster said since Ireton's campaign, the mayoral hopeful has maintained a position that crime is on the rise in Salisbury. Webster said he felt it necessary to defend the work of his agency, this week releasing crime data from the FBI's Uniform Crime Report and e-mailing those figures to Ireton for a response. Webster said Ireton responded only by saying that he looked forward to working with him when he becomes mayor.
The chief says he pressed the issue, replying to Ireton by asking him if he truly thinks crime has increased.
"He didn't respond," Webster said.
"Salisbury is a good community, and I hate to see people tear Salisbury down or say bad things about this city," he said. "We are bringing crime down, and I'm not going to just sit here and not say anything. The stats are the stats. I don't make up the stats. Crime is down and that is a direct reflection of this community and its police department."
Ireton's opponent, City Council Vice President Gary Comegys, joined Webster's praise for the Salisbury Police Department and said crime is down to the level he saw it in 2001 and 2002 thanks to more experienced officers and the discontinuation of a revolving-door trend in the department.
"Our crime rate is still not where I'd like to see it, but I think we've made improvements over the past few years," he said. "For Mr. Ireton to say that crime hasn't been affected by those efforts is false."
Ireton did not provide a response, but said in a forum Thursday hosted by the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce that he will present a "Make Salisbury the Safest City in the State" plan next week.
Comegys detailed his ideas to continue tackling crime in a news conference Tuesday as part of his "One Salisbury" initiative, calling for a regional approach to fighting crime and the institution of a revamped neighborhood watch program.
BREAKING NEWS: 4 PEOPLE SHOT
4 people have been shot at 1007 & 1005 Fairground Drive, Pemberton Apartments. One shot in the leg. Salisbury Fire Department and Police Department are on the scene. 4 Ambulances have been called in so far. More to come......
UPDATE: Fruitland and Hebron have been called in for two additional shootings above and beyond the 4 already being worked on. This could be 6 patients shot. They're on the second floor and are asking for help to get patients down from second floor. Maryland State Police have just been called in as well.
Welcome to Salisbury, Maryland! How's the Chief of Police working for you now Folks. Bank Robberies one after the other, Ted Shea shot in the parking lot of a Bank, man shot and killed at Shell Gas Station, home invasions, what will it take for Mayor Ireton to get rid of this Chief and finally CATCH some of these criminals still on the loose. Everything seems to be a cold case in Salisbury any more.
Originally posted at 10:49 PM 8-21-09
UPDATE: Fruitland and Hebron have been called in for two additional shootings above and beyond the 4 already being worked on. This could be 6 patients shot. They're on the second floor and are asking for help to get patients down from second floor. Maryland State Police have just been called in as well.
Welcome to Salisbury, Maryland! How's the Chief of Police working for you now Folks. Bank Robberies one after the other, Ted Shea shot in the parking lot of a Bank, man shot and killed at Shell Gas Station, home invasions, what will it take for Mayor Ireton to get rid of this Chief and finally CATCH some of these criminals still on the loose. Everything seems to be a cold case in Salisbury any more.
Originally posted at 10:49 PM 8-21-09
HISTORICAL COMMENTS BY GEORGE CHEVALLIER
The “Faithful Steward”
During the past 75 years many Irish half-pennies, dated between 1766 and 1783 have been found on “Coin Beach”, which is south of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, near Indian River inlet. These coins are believed to be washing ashore from the wreck of the “Faithful Steward”. Another theory is that they are from the wreck of the “Three Brothers”, which was carrying currency consigned to Philadelphia. There were many wrecks along that stretch of the Atlantic around that time and to put a coin to a certain vessel is pure conjecture.
The following is a brief account of the “Faithful Steward” which sailed from Londonderry, Ireland. On Thursday, September 1, 1785, she was bound for Philadelphia with 249 passengers when weather conditions worsened as she approached the Delaware shore. The sounding showed only four fathoms (24 ft.) even though they could not see land. An effort was made to head the ship out to sea but it became stuck, at which time they cut away the mast and anything else to lighten the ship.
On the morning of September 2, they found themselves off Moboboe Bank, near Indian River, about four leagues (12 mi.) south of Cape Henlopen. Every effort was made to save the passengers, who had remained on board during the night, even though they were only about 100 yards from shore. That evening she broke to pieces, the sea running very high. The lifeboats were disengaged from the wreck, but before anyone could get in them they drifted ashore. Therefore all relief was cut off except by swimming ashore or getting ashore on pieces of the wreck. Of all the persons on board, only 68 made it to land safely. Among the survivors were the Master, his mates and ten seamen. This was probably due to their strong physical conditions and possible prowess at swimming.
Every effort to save those remaining on board was thwarted by the rough seas and the locals could just stand on the beach and watch almost 200 people perish a scant 100 yards from shore.
The 1783 half-penny pictured above was found on this very beach about 40 years ago. Though all of the British Empire coins pictured King George III on the obverse, the Irish version is distinguishable by the harp on the reverse. England had Britannia on the reverse of the coins destined to remain within England.
The Window With A View
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.
One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs
His bed was next to the room's only window.
The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end.
They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation..
Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.
Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man could not he ar the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days, weeks and months passed..
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.
She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.
It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.
She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'
One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs
His bed was next to the room's only window.
The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end.
They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation..
Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.
Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man could not he ar the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days, weeks and months passed..
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.
She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.
It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.
She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'
Parkside Football Team Car Wash
The Friends of Ram Football will be holding a car wash next Sunday, August 30th at Maximum Discount Muffler & Brakes, located on Pine Bluff Road and Rt. 13 South. The players will be on hand to wash cars and raise much needed funds.
The monies raised from the car wash go to pay for meals and drinks for the players before or after their games. “Coach Riley and the parents believe that being able to feed the players before or after a game, together, like a family helps to make the team closer and that in turn will help them become a winning team, along with a lot of hard work!” stated Michelle Wainwright, President of Friends of Ram Football. “Also, having them put in work time at the car wash and raise money for something they need is a good life lesson.” Parents of the players donate food throughout the season but sometimes that does not cover the costs associated with feeding over 100 players each week.
The Parkside Football Team begins their season tomorrow at 10am with a scrimmage against Delmar High School. The games will take place at the Parkside High School football fields, located behind the school, beginning at 10am. Come out and support the JV & Varsity teams as they begin their 2009 season!
TRAFFIC ALERT
Railroad Crossing Improvements Will Require Lane Closures on Route 13
Harrington -- The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces daytime intermittent lane closures on Route 13 northbound and southbound between Route 14 and Fairground Road/Corncrib Road in Harrington to remedy the bump at the railroad tracks. The work will begin on Tuesday, August 25 and end on Friday, August 28, weather permitting.
Motorists are advised to expect lane shifts and delays.
Passport Letter
An actual letter to the passport office
Dear Sir,
I'm in the process of renewing my passport, and still cannot believe this. How is it that Radio Shack has my address and telephone number and knows that I bought a t.v. cable from them back in 1997, and yet, the Federal Government is still asking me where I was born and on what date. For Christ sakes, do you guys do this by hand?
My birth date you have on my social security card, and it is on all the income tax forms I've filed for the past 30 years. It is on my health insurance card, my driver's license, on the last eight damned passports I've had, on all those stupid customs declaration forms I've had to fill out before being allowed off the planes over the last 30 years, and all those insufferable census forms that are done at election times.
Would somebody please take note, once and for all, that my mother's name is Maryanne, my father's name is Robert and I'd be absolutely astounded if that ever changed between now and when I die!!!!!!
I apologize, I'm really pissed off this morning. Between you and me, I've had enough of this bullsh*t! You send the application to my house, then you ask me for my f*&cking address. What is going on? You have a gang of Neanderthal a$$holes working there??? Look at my d#mn picture. Do I look like Bin Laden? I don't want to dig up Yasser Arafat. I just want to go and park my a$$ on a sandy beach.
And would someone please tell me, why would you give a sh#t whether I plan on visiting a farm in the next 15 days? If I ever got the urge to do something weird to a chicken or a goat, believe you me, I'd sure as hell not want to tell anyone!
Well, I have to go now, 'cause I have to go to the other end of the city and get another f*&king copy of my birth certificate, to the tune of $60. Would it be so complicated to have all the services in the same spot to assist in the issuance of a new passport the same day?? Nooooo, that'd be too easy and maybe make sense. You'd rather have us running all over the place like chickens with our heads cut off, then find some a$$hole to confirm that it's really me on the picture - you know, the one where we're not allowed to smile?! (fu&*kin' morons)
Hey, you know why we can't smile? We're totally pissed off!
Signed - An Irate Citizen.
P.S.. Remember what I said above about the picture and getting someone to confirm that it's me? Well, my family has been in this country since 1776 . I have served in the military for something over 30 years and have had security clearances up the yingyang. However, I have to get someone 'important' to verify who I am - you know, someone like my doctor WHO WAS BORN AND RAISED IN COMMUNIST CHINA !
Dear Sir,
I'm in the process of renewing my passport, and still cannot believe this. How is it that Radio Shack has my address and telephone number and knows that I bought a t.v. cable from them back in 1997, and yet, the Federal Government is still asking me where I was born and on what date. For Christ sakes, do you guys do this by hand?
My birth date you have on my social security card, and it is on all the income tax forms I've filed for the past 30 years. It is on my health insurance card, my driver's license, on the last eight damned passports I've had, on all those stupid customs declaration forms I've had to fill out before being allowed off the planes over the last 30 years, and all those insufferable census forms that are done at election times.
Would somebody please take note, once and for all, that my mother's name is Maryanne, my father's name is Robert and I'd be absolutely astounded if that ever changed between now and when I die!!!!!!
I apologize, I'm really pissed off this morning. Between you and me, I've had enough of this bullsh*t! You send the application to my house, then you ask me for my f*&cking address. What is going on? You have a gang of Neanderthal a$$holes working there??? Look at my d#mn picture. Do I look like Bin Laden? I don't want to dig up Yasser Arafat. I just want to go and park my a$$ on a sandy beach.
And would someone please tell me, why would you give a sh#t whether I plan on visiting a farm in the next 15 days? If I ever got the urge to do something weird to a chicken or a goat, believe you me, I'd sure as hell not want to tell anyone!
Well, I have to go now, 'cause I have to go to the other end of the city and get another f*&king copy of my birth certificate, to the tune of $60. Would it be so complicated to have all the services in the same spot to assist in the issuance of a new passport the same day?? Nooooo, that'd be too easy and maybe make sense. You'd rather have us running all over the place like chickens with our heads cut off, then find some a$$hole to confirm that it's really me on the picture - you know, the one where we're not allowed to smile?! (fu&*kin' morons)
Hey, you know why we can't smile? We're totally pissed off!
Signed - An Irate Citizen.
P.S.. Remember what I said above about the picture and getting someone to confirm that it's me? Well, my family has been in this country since 1776 . I have served in the military for something over 30 years and have had security clearances up the yingyang. However, I have to get someone 'important' to verify who I am - you know, someone like my doctor WHO WAS BORN AND RAISED IN COMMUNIST CHINA !
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