DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Attention
Friday, October 09, 2009
City Employee Involved in Hit & Bribe?
TGIF
Burnin’ Down the House – At the WCBOE
This is an update to this morning's story regarding the misstatements of Wicomico County Board of Education (WCBOE) President Mark Thompson.
WCBOE “Public Information Liaison” Tracy Sahler is back in her office today, but she’s hiding the facts from the public. Sahler refuses to answer two simple questions:
- Where does the money which is given by schools to the Reading Forever Fund come from?
- If the WCBOE (or an individual school) did not order the books in question, who did?
What is the response from Sahler? Initially she attempted to dodge the question by telling me about “the process” that the WCBOE is going through to find out how this happened in the first place. Next I was told that these questions would (might?) be answered AFTER the “process” is completed.
These questions have nothing to do with “the process”. They are questions of fact. WHERE did certain monies come from? WHO ordered the books? Thompson sure didn’t have any problem spouting off when he thought that he wouldn’t be challenged.
Is there any wonder why the WCBOE refuses to allow its meetings to be televised on PAC-14? If taxpayers started to find out what actually went on at the corner of Mt. Hermon Road and Long Ave. (the WCBOE offices), there would be a taxpayer revolt that would make the revenue cap battle look like a church social.
Nobel Peace Prize ???
Nobel observers were shocked by the unexpected choice so early in the Obama presidency, which began less than two weeks before the Feb. 1 nomination deadline.Skip over this content Skip over this content
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama woke up to the news a little before 6 a.m. EDT. The White House had no immediate comment on the announcement, which took the administration by surprise.
GO HERE for the rest of the story.
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What's your opinion on such an achievement?
Yard Sales
If you have an upcoming yard sale, and would like to run an ad, IT'S FREE!!! Email it to me, SunnyInOC at Atlanticjw@aol.com. Please type "yard sale" in the subject of your email.
Please have your requests in by Thursday at 3pm to ensure placement in Friday morning posting.
Thanks. Have a good weekend.
Mark Thompson Fiddles While the Schoolhouse Burns
If political scandals have taught us anything, it is that there are a few simple rules:
- Get out in front of the story.
- Admit your mistakes.
- Don’t Lie; You WILL Get Caught.
- Don’t Hide; You WILL Be Found.
- It’s better to take your punishment now than later.
Following two days of flip-flopping by Superintendent John Fredericksen, Wicomico County Board of Education (WCBOE) President Mark Thompson seems intent on attempting to fight the lessons of history. In Thursday’s Daily Times, Thompson decided to jump into the current brouhaha over inappropriate reading material in elementary school libraries:
Mark Thompson, president of the county school board, said it appears grant funding -- not county dollars -- bought the books in question. He said county schools did not select the books individually because they came as part of a "bulk purchase."
Sounds good. The only problem is that it doesn’t appear to be quite true. To compound matters, Thompson then decided to hide behind WCBOE mouthpiece Tracy Sahler when asked to clarify his statements in light of evidence that taxpayer money was used (at least in part) to purchase the book in question and that obviously someone at the WCBOE approved the purchase.
*Nonpartisan analysis found that, of the $2.8 billion in penalties on those that do not purchase health care insurance$2 billion will be paid by those earning less than $120,000 for a family of four.
* The bill is kept deficit neutral by imposing unfunded mandates on the states of $250 to $300 billion dollars.
* An analysis claims 88 million people will lose their current insurance under government health care.
* The Mayo clinic executive director said, "We will have to violate our values in order to stay in business and reduce our access to government patients."
* The bill creates an "independent Medicare commission" with the ability to deny benefits to the elderly or disabled based on a government calculation of the costs verses the benefits.
* Imposes a tax on medical technology companies and drug makers that will raise the cost of drugs and devices such as pacemakers, eyeglasses and hearing aides.
* imposes a tax on businesses that do not provide insurance coverage.
* The CBO says the bill will still leave 25 million uninsured.
Other sources say, -
* $404 billion will be cut from Medicare as 30 million baby boomers are added to the program.
* There will be tax imposed on employer paid health care insurance. This would fall most heavily on the middle class.
If and when, the congress allows us to read the legislation, which many of them say they will not, we will be able to determine the validity of the above. We can only hope nothing worse will come out.
Joel
Guerrero Ready For Duran!
The dynamic Middleweight sent 13 of his 15 opponents home early, impressing fight fans in various venues across the nation. While it’s been so far so good for Salisbury, MD’s favorite son, Guerrero is ready for what he describes as the beginning of a new chapter.
On Friday, Guerrero, 15-0 (13 KO’s), is faced with two firsts, a ten round contest and title fight. Looking to upend Guerrero’s perfect start is Ossie Duran, 23-7-2 (9 KO’s).
Dubbed as one of boxing’s toughest veterans, Duran dropped razor thin decisions to top rated Junior Middleweights James Kirkland and David Lopez while drawing with the well respected Eromosele Albert. The Paterson, NJ based Ghanaian also holds dominant victories over Jamie Moore and Jonathan Reid.
“Duran is a good, fundamentally sound fighter with a lot of experience”, said Guerrero. “He has a good defense and I haven’t seen him get hit too much but I plan to change that.”
With an opponent in front of him who caused serious problems for some of boxing’s top fighters, Guerrero stepped his training up to not only remain unbeaten but impress his hometown fans for what he recognizes is his toughest challenge to date.
“My camp was great, I went above and beyond what was asked of me.” “By working with Ty Barnett, Dominic Wade and the Peterson Brothers, I truly got the best of every style, so now its time to put everything together!”
The Guerrero-Duran interim NABO Middleweight title fight is the main event of Prize Fight Boxing’s “Title Time”.
Highly touted Lightweight Ty Barnett of Washington, DC returns in the 8 round co-feature against spoiler Juan Santiago, 9-2-1 (6 KO’s), of Denver, CO. Barnett, 16-0-1 (11 KO’s), holds victories over 2000 Olympian Jose Leonardo Cruz as well as contenders Johnnie Edwards (14-2-1) and Pavel Miranda (15-1).
Cruiserweights Alex Guerrero 1-0 of Salisbury, MD and Jackson, TN’s Rodricka Ray 2-3-1 (1 KO) will duke it out for a second time over four rounds. Guerrero pulled out a majority decision over Ray to start his career.
Former amateur sensation Nick Kisner of Ferndale, MD makes his professional debut against Winston-Salem NC’s Richard Gibson 3-1 (2 KO’s) over four rounds at Cruiserweight. Kisner won numerous amateur championships during his storied career.
Tickets for “Title Time” range from $18-$123 and can be purchased by calling 410-219-3112 or going to https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2/Buy.asp?EventIDG293.
Arthur W. Perdue Stadium is located at 6400 Hobbs Road Salisbury, MD 28104. Doors open at 6 and the first bout is scheduled for 7 pm.
A primer promotional company during the last ten years, Prize Fight Boxing promoted Mike Tyson vs Lennox Lewis, the highest grossing pay per view in Heavyweight history, Roy Jones-Antonio Tarver, Antonio Tarver-Glen Johnson and Jermain Taylor-Winky Wright among others. Prize Fight also sold out more than 60 consecutive shows at the Tunica Casino during their successful “Fights at the Fitz” series and was named 2007 NABO Promoter of the Year.
Prize Fight Boxing’s stable includes Fernando Guerrero, Olympic alternates Chazz Witherspoon and Shawn Porter, Dominic Wade, WBO Interim Junior Welterweight champion Lamont Peterson, Anthony Peterson, Farah Ennis, Mark Davis, Adam “Swamp Donkey” Richards, Tyrese Hendrix, Ty Barnett and Daniel Sackey.
For more information, go to http://www.prizefightpromoters.com/.
SENATORS CARDIN AND MIKULSKI SUPPORT SANCTUARY CITIES AND ILLEGAL ALIENS
Offered by Senator David Vitter (R-LA) , this amendment would have prevented CSJ funds from going to cities or localities with "sanctuary" policies (those cities that prohibit their police officers from assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement, refuse to report criminal illegal aliens and act as safe havens for illegal aliens.)
Sanctuary policies bar public officials, including police officers, from asking an individual's immigration status and from reporting illegal aliens to federal authorities.
In 1996, Congress passed a law that specifically prohibits state and local governments from enacting sanctuary policies. Despite that, cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston, still have sanctuary policies in place. Maine is the only state with a sanctuary policy. The Vitter Amendment would have been a huge incentive for states and municipalities to rescind their sanctuary policies.
Cities with sanctuary policies are officially favoring outlaw employers who hire illegal foreign workers over unemployed Americans and legal immigrants.
Senators Cardin and Mikulski, who voted YES to table the Vitter Amendment, were taking a strong pro-illegal-alien position even though they tell their constituents that they oppose illegal immigration. Will Americans have more opportunity for JOBS with invasions of illegal aliens? How are Maryland's senators fighting for their constitiuents by supporting and condoning illegal aliens?
They chose to side against Black and Hispanic Americans who make up the largest part of the unemployed in those sanctuary cities. Are these Senators racist? Maybe not. But their pro-sanctuary stance has the effect of racism by disproportionately keeping jobs out of the hands of America's unemployed minorities.
Just who are Maryland senators representing? Supporting SANCTUARY CITIES? Supporting illegal aliens?
Senator Barbara Mikulski in D.C. (202) 224-4654 Salisbury (410) 546-7711
Senator Ben Cardin in D.C. (202) 224-4524 Salisbury (410) 546-4250
No Big Flash From NASA’s Moon Crash
Scientists analyze readings sent back from impact for signs of water ice
A pair of NASA spacecraft smashed into the moon at twice the speed of a bullet, as part of a mission aimed at blasting up signs of water ice.
Pictures of the impact zone were beamed back live to Earth, but the video imagery did not show any signs of a flash.
"It's hard to tell what we saw there," said Michael Bicay, director of science at NASA's Ames Research Center in California.
GO HERE to read more.
New Castle County Detention Employee Arrested For An Assault On A Detainee
Location:
New Castle County Detention Center
963 Center Road
Wilmington, New Castle County, DE
Date of Occurrence: Saturday October 5, 2009
Suspect(s): Corey McLaurin, 30. Wilmington, DE
Resume:
Delaware State Police have arrested a New Castle County Detention Center Employee after he allegedly assaulted a 17 year-old male juvenile.
This incident began on Saturday when McLaurin and other staff members were addressing the inmates' negative behaviors in a group setting. McLaurin engaged in a verbal altercation. Troopers believe that McLaurin allegedly grabbed the 17 year-old detainee by the throat and assaulted him. The 17 year-old sustained minor injuries.
A review of the investigation by the Attorney General’s Office McLaurin was charged with assault 3rd, harassment and reckless endangerment 2nd.
McLaurin was arrested on today’s date and charged in accordance with the Attorney General’s Office case review. McLaurin was arraigned and released on $1,500.00 bail.
Hoyer Won't Rule Out Voting on Senate Health Bill Without Changes and Sending it Directly to President
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) won't rule out having the House vote on the Senate health-care bill without making any changes in it, which would allow the bill to go directly to President Barack Obama without having to pass through a House-Senate conference committee and another round of votes in the House and Senate--and a longer period of public scrutiny of what the text of the proposed law actually says...
Under the proposal, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) would offer the Senate’s version of health reform as an amendment to a House-passed bill, H.R. 1586, which levies a 90-percent tax on bonuses received this year by employees of financial institutions that took at least $5 billion in government bailout money. Reid's amendment would strip out the substance of H.R. 1586 as passed by the House and replace it with the entirety of the Senate health care bill.
More..
Crime
Thank God for an alarm system and a garage to keep the cars in.
SPECIAL BULLETIN: Armed Robbery
The suspect was described as follows: African-American male, 6 ft. tall, medium muscular build, wearing a white shirt, black pants, and black baseball cap.
The suspect was accompanied by another man, described as follows: African-American male, 5’8” tall, medium build, dreadlock style hair, wearing a red hooded shirt with white horizontal stripes and blue jeans.
Both men arrived and departed in a maroon in color mid-sized sport utility vehicle.
Anyone who may have information about this crime is asked to contact the Salisbury University Police Department: (410) 543-6222; or, report anonymously to Crime Solvers of the Lower Eastern Shore: (410) 548-1776.
I would like to remind our campus community that crimes can occur anywhere at anytime. Individuals should always be attentive to their surroundings, and remain alert to the potential ill-intent of others nearby. Please review and consider the following tips. Extra vigilance
and caution is in order whenever you are out alone, away from crowds.
Street Robbery Tips:
1. Try to remain calm. Do not resist. Consider the robber dangerous.
2. In most cases, the robber only wants your valuables/money and is not there to hurt you.
3. Assume the robber is armed, even if you don't see a weapon.
4. If a weapon is displayed, consider it to be real and loaded.
5. Do only what the robber tells you. If you don't understand, tell the robber.
6. Attempt to get a good, complete description of the robber, - taking note of unique and unusual characteristics.
7. Your main goal is to survive!
8. Don't resist and fight with the assailant unless it is evident that your life is in danger! The most effective self defense measures include running away, hiding and screaming to draw the attention of others.
9. Remember--your valuables can be replaced, - your life can't.
Report any suspicious persons immediately to the police. If possible, use a cellular phone to call 911 while maintaining visual observation of the subject(s).
Chief Edwin L. Lashley
University Police
ellashley@salisbury.edu
Wargotz Announces Fundraising Numbers
Dr. Eric Wargotz, candidate for the U. S. Senate, today announced that his campaign raised $85,445 during the quarter ending September 30, 2009.
During that same period, the campaign spent $4,324.19, leaving a total of $81,120.81 in cash on hand.
“We’re committed to waging an energetic, competitive campaign,” Dr. Wargotz stated. “We’re pleased by these numbers, especially coming so early in the campaign cycle, and we expect to maintain a brisk fundraising pace in the months ahead.
“The citizens of Maryland deserve to have a real choice in deciding who their next U. S. Senator will be, and we are going to have the resources needed to give it to them.”
STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON THE PASSING OF REVEREND MICHAEL SALTARELLI
“I am very saddened to learn of the passing of Reverend Michael Saltarelli, bishop emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, who oversaw Catholic churches on the Eastern Shore.
The Reverend spent his life working to advance the common good. His good works reminded all of us that there is indeed a unity to spirit and matter. His service in the Lord's named mattered to so many families throughout our State.
Our hearts today are with the countless members of his congregation and our extended Catholic family.”
H1N1 Vaccination Clinic Tour
Federal, state and local officials join PGCPS to stress importance of H1N1 vaccinations for Maryland children. Dodge Park ES students among first school-aged children in state to get free H1N1 vaccinations.
WHO: Martin O’Malley, Governor, State of Maryland Arne Duncan, United States Secretary of Education Kathleen Sebelius, United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Jay Butler, Center for Disease Control and Prevention Paul Jarris, MD, MBA, Executive Director, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
Donald Shell, MD, MA; Prince George’s County Health Department Verjeana M. Jacobs, Esq., Prince George’s County Board of Education Chair William R. Hite, Jr., Ed.D, Prince George’s County Public School SuperintendentJudith White, Principal of Dodge Park Elementary School Dodge Park Elementary School students and parents
WHAT: Federal, state and local government, health and education officials join to stress importance of H1N1 vaccinations for Maryland children.
WHEN: Friday, October 9, 2009
8 a.m., H1N1 Vaccination Clinic Tour with Secretary Sebelius, Secretary Duncan, Governor O’Malley and Dr. Donald Shell
English Language
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce .
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get thelead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like thepresent, he thought it was time topresent the present .
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for theinvalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row ..
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to windthe sail.
18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
Let's face it - English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France . Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth, beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? One index, 2 indices? Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?
If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell?
How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which, an alarm goes off by going on.
English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.
PS. - Why doesn't 'Buick' rhyme with 'quick' ?
You lovers of the English language might enjoy this .
There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that is 'UP.'
It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP ?
At a meeting, why does a topic come UP ?
Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UPto the secretary to write UP a report ?
We call UP our friends.
And we use it to brighten UP a room, polishUP the silver; we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen.
We lock UP the house and some guys fixUP the old car.
At other times the little word has real special meaning.
People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UPexcuses.
To be dressed is one thing, but to be dressed UP is special.
A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP.
We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night.
We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP !
To be knowledgeable about the proper uses ofUP, look the word UP in the dictionary.
In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4th of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions.
If you are UP to it, you might try buildingUP a list of the many ways UP is used.
It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more.
When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP.
When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP...
When it rains, it wets the earth and often messes things UP.
When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP.
One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now my time is UP,so........it is time to shut UP!
STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON THE PASSING OF RABBI MARK LOEB
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a great man, Rabbi Mark Loeb.
“Rabbi Loeb’s life and good works were an inspiration both to his own congregation, and to our entire State. He spent his time on this earth living the timeless Talmudic notion that ‘the highest form of wisdom is kindness,’ always standing up for our most vulnerable citizens, always fighting for social justice, always pursuing Tikkun Olam, repair of the world.
“On a personal note, I was very grateful that the Rabbi stepped forward and volunteered to serve on our Commission on Capital Punishment, where he dealt with some of the more difficult issues we face as a society, taking his role seriously, and handling his responsibilities with dignity and grace.
“Our hearts go out to the Loeb family, the Beth El Congregation, and the countless Marylanders who turned to the Rabbi for guidance, support, and leadership.”
GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY MEETS WITH BOSNIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION
The State Partnership Program was originally designed as outreach by the U.S. to new democracies in Eastern and Central Europe and the former Soviet Union.
“I want to welcome the parliamentary delegation of Bosnia here to the State of Maryland. The State of Maryland very much values its partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina and looks forward to continuing that partnership for years to come,” said Governor O’Malley. “Together, we have an opportunity to work collaboratively on issues of mutual interest, not just from a military perspective, but a business and economic perspective, particularly now as we manage through the effects of a challenging global economic environment. These are exciting times for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Maryland is proud to help our friends in their time of transition.”
The Bosnian delegation’s visit is especially timely as Bosnia-Herzegovina submitted a request for membership action plan to NATO last week. Bosnia and Herzegovina is also in cooperation with NATO Allies and Partner countries in a range of other areas through the Partnership for Peace and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council.
Over the summer this year, Governor O’Malley traveled to Sarajevo to participate in discussions with military and civilian representatives of the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, business leaders representing the local chamber of commerce, and the U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina. During his trip, Governor O’Malley was under the auspices of the State Partnership Program, which brings together U.S. states and territories and their respective National Guard units with new or emerging democracies throughout the world.
The State of Maryland and Maryland’s National Guard have enjoyed an official partnership since 2003. During that time, Maryland has worked closely with Bosnia and Herzegovina in fostering democracy, encouraging a market-based economy and promoting regional cooperation and stability. The Maryland National Guard’s relationship with the Bosnian military has encompassed a wide range of military-to-military, military-to-civilian and civilian–to-civilian efforts with an emphasis on civil and military cooperation within the context of civilian control of a professional military. The Maryland Military Department also has shared best practices related to state emergency management processes, procedures and techniques through the Maryland Emergency Management Agency.
Troopers Searching For Missing Elderly Man
Date of Occurrence: Last seen October 7, 2009, at 6 p.m.
Missing Person: Harold Perham, 68, white male, 5’04” and 130 lbs
Resume:
State troopers are searching for a missing elderly man who has not been heard from since yesterday.
Police are looking for Harold Perham who was last seen in his home on the 7th. When a family member entered his room they discovered Perham missing. Troopers contacted neighbors and discovered he was last seen walking west on Holly Drive.
State police are asking for the public’s help. If anyone has seen Mr. Perham you are asked to call “911” immediately. Mr. Perham has not taken his medication recently and troopers fear this may cause him to have a diminished metal capacity.
Unfortunately no photos were available at the time of this release