CLICK HERE for this weekends soggy yard sales.
If you have a yard sale that you would like to post, please email it to atlanticjw@aol.com. Please mark your email as "yard sale"
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, October 16, 2009
TLC Suing Jon Gosselin For Breach Of Contract
Suit also claims TV dad made unauthorized disclosures about show
NEW YORK - The TLC cable TV network says it's suing Jon Gosselin for breaching his contract as star of the reality show "Jon & Kate Plus 8."
The lawsuit, filed Friday in Maryland, alleges that Gosselin hasn't met the obligations of his contract as an exclusive employee, has appeared on other programs for pay and made unauthorized disclosures about the show.
Gosselin has starred for two years in "Jon & Kate Plus 8," which has been consumed in recent months by marital turmoil as Gosselin and his wife, Kate, feuded, then filed for divorce. The couple are the parents of young twins and sextuplets.
GO HERE to read more.
NEW YORK - The TLC cable TV network says it's suing Jon Gosselin for breaching his contract as star of the reality show "Jon & Kate Plus 8."
The lawsuit, filed Friday in Maryland, alleges that Gosselin hasn't met the obligations of his contract as an exclusive employee, has appeared on other programs for pay and made unauthorized disclosures about the show.
Gosselin has starred for two years in "Jon & Kate Plus 8," which has been consumed in recent months by marital turmoil as Gosselin and his wife, Kate, feuded, then filed for divorce. The couple are the parents of young twins and sextuplets.
GO HERE to read more.
Dagsboro Man Arrested For Impersonating A Police Officer
Dagsboro Man Arrested for Impersonating a Police Officer
Location:
36720 Bayside Outlet Drive, Corning Ware Outlet, Rehoboth Beach
247 Rehoboth Beach Avenue, The Purple Parrott Restaurant, Rehoboth Beach
Date of Occurrence: Thursday, October 15th, 2009 at approximately 5pm
Suspect(s): Mr. Michael R. Gagnon, 45, 31000 Block of New Street, Dagsboro
Resume: On Thursday, October 15th, 20009, the Delaware State Police were summoned to 36720 Bayside Outlet Drive, the Corning Ware Outlet, Rehoboth, for a sexual harassment complaint.
The investigation revealed that a white male later identified as Mr. Michael R. Gagnon, 45, of the 31000 Block of New Street, Dagsboro, entered the store and made inappropriate sexual comments to a 20-year old store employee. The store employee was alarmed by the nature of the comments, thus prompting him to call police.
As Delaware State Troopers probed into the this initial report, it was determined that the suspect in this incident was Mr. Gagnon. During this incident, Mr. Gagnon was wearing police apparel and departed the area operating a Ford Crown Victoria which appeared to be an used unmarked patrol vehicle.
Following his departure from the outlets, Mr. Gagnon traveled to the Purple Parrot Restaurant, located at 247 Rehoboth Avenue, where he solicited a 19-year old male employee. Mr. Gagnon made sexually explicit comments to this individual. This victim was also alarmed by the nature of Mr. Gagnon’s comments.
As a result of the verbal exchange, Mr. Gagnon was contacted by management and asked to leave the establishment. Mr. Gagnon refused and made numerous statements that he was a law enforcement officer. As a result the Rehoboth Beach Police were called.
Upon arrival of the Rehoboth Beach Police Mr. Gagnon was taken into custody without incident and turned over to responding Delaware State Troopers. Mr. Gagnon was transported to Delaware State Police Troop 7 where he was formally charged with the following crimes:
Failure to Register as a Sex Offender (Felony)
Impersonating a Police Officer (Felony)
2-Counts of Criminal Solicitation in the 3rd Degree (Misdemeanor)
2-Counts of Sexual Harassment (Misdemeanor)
Disorderly Conduct (Misdemeanor)
Mr. Gagnon was arraigned and committed to Sussex Correctional Center in lieu of $15,000.00 cash bond. In addition, Mr. Gagnon was issued a no contact order with the victims and the establishments where the incidents occurred.
A Trying Day Today
Today starts the beginning of the end. My Mother's viewing will be today in Gambrills. Saturday will be the Mass in Bowie, then we're off to New York for the burial on Monday. So for the next few days we'll be back to slower Posts and then back to normal next week. Thanks for sticking with us during these times. I can tell you that we have not slacked one little bit traffic wise and amazingly the comments have been soaring each day. Wednesday we had 474 comments in one day and 400 comments yesterday, unbelievable!
I want to thank ALL of you for showing your support, understanding and kind wishes. Hopefully some time soon I'll find the time to share just how special my Mother truly was.
When I heard how many plates, forks, knives and so forth were needed for the gathering after the Mass I couldn't believe what was requested. My Mother's Church stepped in and said, don't buy a single thing, we're taking care of it all, including the food. She was loved by many thousands of people, all of which will be a pleasure to meet starting today.
Again, thanks for understanding and things will be back to normal soon enough.
I want to thank ALL of you for showing your support, understanding and kind wishes. Hopefully some time soon I'll find the time to share just how special my Mother truly was.
When I heard how many plates, forks, knives and so forth were needed for the gathering after the Mass I couldn't believe what was requested. My Mother's Church stepped in and said, don't buy a single thing, we're taking care of it all, including the food. She was loved by many thousands of people, all of which will be a pleasure to meet starting today.
Again, thanks for understanding and things will be back to normal soon enough.
Indian Name For The Man
OBAMA was invited to address a major gathering of the American Indian Nation two weeks ago in up state New York .
HE spoke for almost an hour on HIS future plans for increasing every Native American's present standard of living, since he has now become the President.
HE referred to his career as a Senator, how he had signed 'YES' for every Indian issue that came to his desk for approval.
Although President Obama was vague on the details of his plan, he seemed most enthusiastic about HIS future ideas for helping HIS 'red sisters and brothers'.
At the conclusion of his speech, the Tribes presented Obama with a plaque inscribed with his new Indian name - "Walking Eagle".
The proud President then departed in his motorcade, waving to the crowds.
A news reporter later inquired to the group of chiefs of how they came to select the new name they had given to the President. They explained that "Walking Eagle" is the name given to a bird so full of sh!t, it can no longer fly.
Burglary Suspect Caught Fleeing The Scene Thanks To Witnesses
Location: Texaco, 2501 Newport Gap Pike, Wilmington, Delaware, New Castle County
Date of Occurrence: January 11th, 2009 and October 15th, 2009
Suspect(s): Gerald Bulat, 29, of West Reamer Avenue in Wilmington, Delaware
Resume: At approximately 3:00 a.m. on October 15th, several residents along the 2500 block of Newport Gap Pike were awakened to the sound of a loud crash. These witnesses turned their attention to the Texaco, located at 2501 Newport Gap Pike, and saw a Dodge Dakota backing into the front door of the business.
With the front door damaged, the driver got out the truck and walked into the business. He obtained cigarettes and cash and made his way back to the truck. As the Dakota was fleeing the scene the witnesses provided its description to responding units.
A Troop 6 patrol officer stopped the truck in the area of Prices Corner and took Gerald Butler into custody after a struggle.
He was transported back to Troop 6 where a Troop 2 burglary detective assumed the investigation. It was learned that Bulat had stolen the Dodge from a home on Troy Avenue just a few hours prior to the burglary. Investigative measures had then linked Bulat to another burglary at this same Texaco back on January 11th. In this case, he also had backed a vehicle up into the business allowing him to gain entry and steal goods from within.
Gerald Bulat was formally charged with the following offenses: two counts of Burglary (felony), two counts of Theft (misdemeanor), Criminal Mischief (felony), two counts of Criminal Mischief (misdemeanor), Resisting Arrest (felony) and Receiving Stolen Property (felony). Bail was set at $8,000.00 secured and Bulat was committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institute.
Common Laws
1. Law of Mechanical Repair - After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to use the bathroom.
2. Law of Gravity - Any tool, nut, bolt, or screw, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
3. Law of Probability - The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.
4. Law of Random Numbers - If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers.
5. Law of the Alibi - If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.
6. Variation Law - If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).
7. Law of the Bath - When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.
8. Law of Close Encounters - The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.
9. Law of the Result - When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.
10. Law of Biomechanics - The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.
11. Law of the Theater and Hockey Arena - At any event, the people whose seats are farthest from the aisle arrive last, and they are the ones who will leave their seats several times to go for food, drink, or the bathroom and who leave early before the end of the performance or the game is over.
Those in the aisle seats come early, never move once, have long gangly legs or big bellies, and stay to the bitter end of the performance and beyond. The aisle people also are very surly folk.
12. The Starbucks Law - As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something that will last until the coffee is cold.
13. Murphy's Law of Lockers - If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.
14. Law of Physical Surfaces - The chances of an open-faced grape jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet/rug.
15. Law of Logical Argument - Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
16. Brown's Law of Physical Appearance - If the clothes fit, they're ugly.
17. Oliver's Law of Public Speaking - A closed mouth gathers no feet.
18. Wilson's Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy - As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.
19. Doctors' Law - If you don't feel well and make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you'll feel better. Don't make an appointment and you'll stay sick.
2. Law of Gravity - Any tool, nut, bolt, or screw, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
3. Law of Probability - The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.
4. Law of Random Numbers - If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers.
5. Law of the Alibi - If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.
6. Variation Law - If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).
7. Law of the Bath - When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.
8. Law of Close Encounters - The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.
9. Law of the Result - When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.
10. Law of Biomechanics - The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.
11. Law of the Theater and Hockey Arena - At any event, the people whose seats are farthest from the aisle arrive last, and they are the ones who will leave their seats several times to go for food, drink, or the bathroom and who leave early before the end of the performance or the game is over.
Those in the aisle seats come early, never move once, have long gangly legs or big bellies, and stay to the bitter end of the performance and beyond. The aisle people also are very surly folk.
12. The Starbucks Law - As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something that will last until the coffee is cold.
13. Murphy's Law of Lockers - If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.
14. Law of Physical Surfaces - The chances of an open-faced grape jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet/rug.
15. Law of Logical Argument - Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
16. Brown's Law of Physical Appearance - If the clothes fit, they're ugly.
17. Oliver's Law of Public Speaking - A closed mouth gathers no feet.
18. Wilson's Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy - As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.
19. Doctors' Law - If you don't feel well and make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you'll feel better. Don't make an appointment and you'll stay sick.
Weenies Calls It Quits
The new Hot Dog Specialty Shop on Rt. 13 is calling it quits. It's tough to compete with a Nathan's Hot Dog and a huge Soda for $1.81 at Sam's Club.
I know they're claiming they're leaving to go back to New Hampshire to tend to a business they own there, I feel for them. However, Sam's is the bomb for a fantastic Hot Dog and we wish them the best back up North.
Salisbury Police Department Press Releases
On October 15, 2009 at approximately 10:41 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the BB & T Bank on Riverside Drive for the report of a robbery. Upon arrival the officers met with bank employees that advised that the bank had been entered by two (2) suspects who approached the teller area. One of the suspects (#1 below) produced a handgun and demanded currency from the teller. Both suspects fled from the bank and ran south behind an apartment complex. A witness advised that the suspects fled from the area in vehicle, described below. There were no injuries. The suspects were described as follows:
# 1: black male, 5’10”, 150 lbs, wearing all black with a
camouflage mask and in possession of a black large frame
handgun.
#2: black male, 5’10”, 150 lbs., wearing all black with a black
face mask also in possession of a dark handgun
The vehicle was described as a dark blue older model Honda Accord, possibly early 1990’s model with dark tinted windows.
This investigation is continuing. CC # 200900036487
On the same date, at approximately 11:48 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Shore Bank on South US Rt. 13 for the report of a robbery. Upon arrival the officers met with bank employees who advised that a single suspect had entered the bank and had confronted the employees with a firearm. The employees advised that the suspect entered the bank and produced the firearm, then vaulted the teller counter. The suspect ordered an employee to put U.S. currency into a bag that the suspect possessed, then vaulted back over the counter before fleeing from the bank. The suspect was observed fleeing from the bank on foot in a northerly direction. There were no injuries. The suspect was described as:
Black male, 5’8” to 5”10, thin, wearing a black “hoody” type sweat jacket, blue jeans, white tennis shoes, and with a light colored bandanna covering his facial area. The firearm appears to be a shortened shotgun type weapon.
This investigation is continuing. CC # 200900036725
If anyone has any information involving either of these robberies they are asked to contact the Salisbury Police Department at 410-548-3165 or to contact Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. Information may be submitted anonymously.
# 1: black male, 5’10”, 150 lbs, wearing all black with a
camouflage mask and in possession of a black large frame
handgun.
#2: black male, 5’10”, 150 lbs., wearing all black with a black
face mask also in possession of a dark handgun
The vehicle was described as a dark blue older model Honda Accord, possibly early 1990’s model with dark tinted windows.
This investigation is continuing. CC # 200900036487
On the same date, at approximately 11:48 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Shore Bank on South US Rt. 13 for the report of a robbery. Upon arrival the officers met with bank employees who advised that a single suspect had entered the bank and had confronted the employees with a firearm. The employees advised that the suspect entered the bank and produced the firearm, then vaulted the teller counter. The suspect ordered an employee to put U.S. currency into a bag that the suspect possessed, then vaulted back over the counter before fleeing from the bank. The suspect was observed fleeing from the bank on foot in a northerly direction. There were no injuries. The suspect was described as:
Black male, 5’8” to 5”10, thin, wearing a black “hoody” type sweat jacket, blue jeans, white tennis shoes, and with a light colored bandanna covering his facial area. The firearm appears to be a shortened shotgun type weapon.
This investigation is continuing. CC # 200900036725
If anyone has any information involving either of these robberies they are asked to contact the Salisbury Police Department at 410-548-3165 or to contact Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. Information may be submitted anonymously.
Web Addresses
All of these are legitimate companies, who didn't spend quite enough time considering how their online name might appear!
These are not made up. Check them out yourself!
1. 'Who Represents' is where you can find the name of the agent that represents any celebrity. Their Web site is: http://www.whorepresents.com/
2. 'Experts Exchange’ is a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at: http://www.expertsexchange.com/
3. Looking for a great pen? Look no further than' Pen Island '..
It can be found at: http://www.penisland.net/
4. Need a therapist? Try 'Therapist Finder' at: http://www.therapistfinder.com/
5. Then there's the 'Italian Power Generator' company. Check it out at: http://www.powergenitalia.com/
6. 'IP computer' software, there's always: http://www.ipanywhere.com/
7. And the designers at 'Speed of Art' await you at their wacky Web site: http://www.speedofart.com/
Finance Committee Health Bill Includes $507 Billion In New Taxes And Fees
(CNSNews.com) – The health-care bill that the Senate Finance Committee will vote on today will cost a total of $829 billion over 10 years, with $507 billion of that cost being covered by new federal taxes and fees, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
On Oct. 7, the CBO released a report on the budget impact of the “chairman’s mark” summary of the bill that the Finance Committee is set to vote on today. Based on the document it was given, the CBO found that the bill would reduce the federal budget deficit by $81 billion over 10 years. That estimate was based on the calculation that, if enacted, the bill would bring in $480 billion in new tax revenues and $27 billion in fees.
These new taxes and fees include:
-- $201 billion in new taxes on high-premium health care plans.
-- $83 billion in new taxes paid by workers who will receive less employer-sponsored coverage or lose that coverage altogether but will be compensated with higher wages or monetary benefits, which are taxable.
-- $23 billion in penalty fees paid by employers who do not comply with the federal insurance mandate.
-- $4 billion in penalty fees paid by individuals who don’t have health insurance.
-- $16 billion in new income and Medicare payroll tax revenue due to changes in Medicare.
-- $180 billion in other tax revenues items calculated by the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT).
GO HERE to read more.
On Oct. 7, the CBO released a report on the budget impact of the “chairman’s mark” summary of the bill that the Finance Committee is set to vote on today. Based on the document it was given, the CBO found that the bill would reduce the federal budget deficit by $81 billion over 10 years. That estimate was based on the calculation that, if enacted, the bill would bring in $480 billion in new tax revenues and $27 billion in fees.
These new taxes and fees include:
-- $201 billion in new taxes on high-premium health care plans.
-- $83 billion in new taxes paid by workers who will receive less employer-sponsored coverage or lose that coverage altogether but will be compensated with higher wages or monetary benefits, which are taxable.
-- $23 billion in penalty fees paid by employers who do not comply with the federal insurance mandate.
-- $4 billion in penalty fees paid by individuals who don’t have health insurance.
-- $16 billion in new income and Medicare payroll tax revenue due to changes in Medicare.
-- $180 billion in other tax revenues items calculated by the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT).
GO HERE to read more.
Obama, An Unconstitutional Nobel
People can, and undoubtedly will, argue for some time about whether President Obama deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. Meanwhile, though, there's a simpler and more immediate question: Does the Constitution allow him to accept the award?
Article I, Section 9, of the Constitution, the emolument clause, clearly stipulates: "And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State."
The award of the peace prize to a sitting president is not unprecedented. But Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson received the honor for their past actions: Roosevelt's efforts to end the Russo-Japanese War, and Wilson's work in establishing the League of Nations. Obama's award is different. It is intended to affect future action. As a member of the Nobel Committee explained, the prize should encourage Obama to meet his goal of nuclear disarmament. It raises important legal questions for the second time in less than 10 months -- questions not discussed, much less adequately addressed anywhere else.
The five-member Nobel commission is elected by the Storting, the parliament of Norway. Thus the award of the peace prize is made by a body representing the legislature of a sovereign foreign state. There is no doubt that the Nobel Peace Prize is an "emolument" ("gain from employment or position," according to Webster).
An opinion of the U.S. attorney general advised, in 1902, that "a simple remembrance," even "if merely a photograph, falls under the inclusion of 'any present of any kind whatever.' " President Clinton's Office of Legal Counsel, in 1993, reaffirmed the 1902 opinion, and explained that the text of the clause does not limit "its application solely to foreign governments acting as sovereigns." This opinion went on to say that the emolument clause applies even when the foreign government acts through instrumentalities. Thus the Nobel Prize is an emolument, and a foreign one to boot.
GO HERE to read more.
Statement from Superintendent Of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen On Determination On Media Center Book
On Tuesday, Oct. 6, a member of the Wicomico County Council presented Wicomico County Board of Education administration with several photo-copied pages from Dragon Ball: The Monkey King, a book checked out by a 9-year-old Pittsville Elementary and Middle School student. As soon as staff members became aware of a concern about the book, they began the process of removing the book from media center shelves for review. Dragon Ball series books at Pittsville School and Parkside High School were removed from media center shelves for a committee review as required by procedures and policy. A complaint form was later received from a parent.
The Dragon Ball: The Monkey King book was purchased via grant funds by a first-year media specialist (librarian) in the fall of 2006. It was one of the approximately 275 books the media specialist secured that year for the 455-student school. The book had been requested by a student. To expedite the process of acquiring the book, the media specialist went to Barnes & Noble and purchased it along with several other books. There were no warnings on the books and the media specialist and bookstore clerk were unaware at the time that the Dragon Ball series was intended for young adults, while the Dragon Ball Z series (a more edited version by the same author) was intended for all audiences. The media specialist checked the books on the Amazon website at the time and no alerts or other warnings were posted. The book was rated for all audiences by viz.com and was contained on the Scholastic book title list.
This book, like others, was briefly scanned. Nothing unusual or offensive was found, and the book was placed in circulation. The book was checked out nine times in three years by a number of students, with no comments or complaints. There did not appear to be an unusual check out pattern for the book.
The committee met on Oct. 12 to review Dragon Ball: The Monkey King book. The committee members and I have read the book, and several committee members have read other books from the Dragon Ball series that were pulled from media center shelves for review. After review, the committee recommended removal of all books in the Dragon Ball series. The committee is continuing to study the Dragon Ball Z series (intended for all audiences) for further recommendations.
I concur with the committee’s recommendation. It is my determination as superintendent that the protection of Wicomico County Public School students from inappropriate material supersedes any interest that there might be in having this book available in our media centers. I am directing that the books pulled for committee review -- Dragon Ball: The Monkey King and the remainder of the Dragon Ball series (not the Dragon Ball Z series, which is still under review) -- not be returned to our school media centers. These books will not be available in any Wicomico school media center.
This decision does not deny the use of acceptable graphic novels as an available educational tool in the school system. Graphic novels with appropriate content can be a useful tool in encouraging reluctant readers to pick up a book and read.
As a result of this incident, we are instituting more focused and ongoing professional development training on the selection of media materials and additional procedures to handle student requests for media books and resources.
The Wicomico County Public School System regrets the offense caused to the family that submitted a complaint about the book. I urge anyone who has a concern about reading materials brought home from school to contact the school so that the procedures and policies already in place for handling such concerns can be followed and a resolution to the concern can be reached.
The Dragon Ball: The Monkey King book was purchased via grant funds by a first-year media specialist (librarian) in the fall of 2006. It was one of the approximately 275 books the media specialist secured that year for the 455-student school. The book had been requested by a student. To expedite the process of acquiring the book, the media specialist went to Barnes & Noble and purchased it along with several other books. There were no warnings on the books and the media specialist and bookstore clerk were unaware at the time that the Dragon Ball series was intended for young adults, while the Dragon Ball Z series (a more edited version by the same author) was intended for all audiences. The media specialist checked the books on the Amazon website at the time and no alerts or other warnings were posted. The book was rated for all audiences by viz.com and was contained on the Scholastic book title list.
This book, like others, was briefly scanned. Nothing unusual or offensive was found, and the book was placed in circulation. The book was checked out nine times in three years by a number of students, with no comments or complaints. There did not appear to be an unusual check out pattern for the book.
The committee met on Oct. 12 to review Dragon Ball: The Monkey King book. The committee members and I have read the book, and several committee members have read other books from the Dragon Ball series that were pulled from media center shelves for review. After review, the committee recommended removal of all books in the Dragon Ball series. The committee is continuing to study the Dragon Ball Z series (intended for all audiences) for further recommendations.
I concur with the committee’s recommendation. It is my determination as superintendent that the protection of Wicomico County Public School students from inappropriate material supersedes any interest that there might be in having this book available in our media centers. I am directing that the books pulled for committee review -- Dragon Ball: The Monkey King and the remainder of the Dragon Ball series (not the Dragon Ball Z series, which is still under review) -- not be returned to our school media centers. These books will not be available in any Wicomico school media center.
This decision does not deny the use of acceptable graphic novels as an available educational tool in the school system. Graphic novels with appropriate content can be a useful tool in encouraging reluctant readers to pick up a book and read.
As a result of this incident, we are instituting more focused and ongoing professional development training on the selection of media materials and additional procedures to handle student requests for media books and resources.
The Wicomico County Public School System regrets the offense caused to the family that submitted a complaint about the book. I urge anyone who has a concern about reading materials brought home from school to contact the school so that the procedures and policies already in place for handling such concerns can be followed and a resolution to the concern can be reached.
THIS STUDENT HAS A FIRM GRASP OF THE REAL WORLD
Students at a local school were assigned to read 2 books, 'Titanic' and 'My Life' by Bill Clinton.
One student turned in the following book report,
With the proposition that they were nearly identical stories!
His cool professor gave him an A+ for this report.
Titanic:.... Cost - $29.99
Clinton :..... Cost - $29.99
Titanic:...... Over 3 hours to read
Clinton :... Over 3 hours to read
Titanic:..... The story of Jack and Rose, their forbidden love, and subsequent catastrophe.
Clinton :.... The story of Bill and Monica, their forbidden love, and subsequent catastrophe.
Titanic:.... Jack is a starving artist.
Clinton :...... Bill is a bullshit artist.
Titanic:.... In one scene, Jack enjoys a good cigar.
Clinton :.... Ditto for Bill.
Titanic:..... During the ordeal, Rose's dress gets ruined.
Clinton :....... Ditto for Monica.
Titanic:..... Jack teaches Rose to spit.
Clinton??:... Let's not go there.
Titanic:..... Rose gets to keep her jewelry.
Clinton :.... Monica' s forced to return her gifts.
Titanic:.... Rose remembers Jack for the rest of her life.
Clinton :..... Clinton doesn't remember Jack.
Titanic:..... Rose goes down on a vessel full of seamen.
Clinton: ...... Monica.. Ooh, let's not go there, either.
Titanic:..... Jack surrenders to an icy death.
Clinton :...... Bill goes home to Hillary - basically the same thing.
House Republicans Accuse Muslim Group Of Trying To Plant Spies
Republican members of the Congressional Anti-Terrorism Caucus said the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) have tried to plant “spies” within key national-security committees in order to shape legislative policy.
Reps. Sue Myrick (R-N.C.), John Shadegg (R-Ariz.), Paul Broun (R-Ga.) and Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), citing the book Muslim Mafia: Inside the Secret Underworld that’s Conspiring to Islamize America, called for the House sergeant at arms to investigate whether CAIR had been successful in placing interns on key panels. The lawmakers are specifically focused on the House Homeland Security Committee, Intelligence Committee and Judiciary Committee.
“If an organization is connected to or supports terrorists [and] is running influence operations or planting spies in key national security-related offices, I think this needs to be made known,” said Broun, who sits on the Homeland Security Committee. “So I join my colleagues here today in calling for action.”
But the Office of the House sergeant at arms said that it has received no such request from any of the four Republicans and declined to speculate on how a request of that nature would be addressed.
“We have not received any request at this time,” said Kerri Hanley, a spokeswoman for the House sergeant at arms office. “Until we know of the exact request, a determination cannot be made on how it will be handled.”
The book, which was written by P. David Gaubatz and Paul Sperry with a foreword by Myrick, is scheduled to be released on Thursday.
A representative of CAIR called the accusations unfounded and worried that they would tarnish the improving relations between Muslim and non-Muslim Americans.
“God forbid American Muslims take part in the political process and exercise their rights,” said Ibrahim Hooper, a CAIR spokesman, in a telephone interview. “I suppose they’re going to investigate the Muslim Staffers Association next.
“If these people weren’t so hate-filled, it would be laughable, but unfortunately they have an audience and, given their positions, it’s going to get picked up by the hate blogs.”
GO HERE to read more.
Poll: Mexicans Say Mexican-Americans Owe Loyalty To Mexico Over U.S.
Nearly 70 percent of Mexicans surveyed said that Mexican-Americans – including those born in the United States – owe their primary loyalty to Mexico, not the U.S., according to a Zogby poll commissioned by the Center for Immigration Studies.
The in-person poll, taken during August and September, sampled 1,004 Mexicans across the country on subjects related to illegal immigration and amnesty in the United States.
When asked “Should the primary loyalty of Mexican-Americans be to Mexico or to the U.S.?” 68.8 percent of respondents in Mexico said that it should be to Mexico, while only 19.7 percent said it should be to the United States. Another 11.5 percent of respondents said they were not sure.
More..
Here's Something To Think About
I recently picked a new primary care doctor. After two visits and exhaustive Lab tests, he said I was doing 'fairly well' for my age. (I just turned 49.)
A little concerned about that comment, I couldn't resist asking him, 'Do you think I'll live to be 80?'
He asked, 'Do you smoke tobacco, or drink beer or wine?'
'Oh no,' I replied... 'I'm not doing drugs, either!'
Then he asked, 'Do you eat rib-eye steaks and barbecued ribs?
'I said, 'Not much... my former doctor said that all red meat is very unhealthy!'
'Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf, sailing, hiking, or bicycling?'
'No, I don't,' I said.
He asked, 'Do you gamble, drive fast cars, or have a lot of sex?'
'No,' I said.
He looked at me and said,... 'Then, why do you even give a sh!t?
A little concerned about that comment, I couldn't resist asking him, 'Do you think I'll live to be 80?'
He asked, 'Do you smoke tobacco, or drink beer or wine?'
'Oh no,' I replied... 'I'm not doing drugs, either!'
Then he asked, 'Do you eat rib-eye steaks and barbecued ribs?
'I said, 'Not much... my former doctor said that all red meat is very unhealthy!'
'Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf, sailing, hiking, or bicycling?'
'No, I don't,' I said.
He asked, 'Do you gamble, drive fast cars, or have a lot of sex?'
'No,' I said.
He looked at me and said,... 'Then, why do you even give a sh!t?
Picking Lemons
A woman applying for a job at a Florida lemon
grove seemed to be far too qualified for the job.
The foreman frowned and said,
"I have to ask you this;
Have you had any actual experience in picking lemons?"
She replied:
"I've been divorced three times and I voted for Obama."
grove seemed to be far too qualified for the job.
The foreman frowned and said,
"I have to ask you this;
Have you had any actual experience in picking lemons?"
She replied:
"I've been divorced three times and I voted for Obama."
Salisbury Police Department Press Releases
On October 13, 2009 at approximately 11:50 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call from a local medical office in reference to fraudulent prescriptions. The medical office had been contacted by a local business store who had found a suspicious prescription left in the store. The officers then responded to the business store. Upon arrival the officers met with store management who advised that store personnel had observed the below listed suspects constructing and copying what appeared to be fraudulent prescriptions. The suspects were identified and located by officers. When apprehended the suspects were found to be in possession of fraudulent prescriptions for Oxycodone and Abilify, which are controlled dangerous substances.
ARRESTED #1: Rameez (nmn) Asif, 27 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
ARRESTED #2: Johmon Lawrence Handy, 19 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES (Both): Possession of fraudulent prescription (2 counts)
Counterfeiting a prescription (2 counts)
Possession of a falsely made prescription (2 cts)
DISPOSITION: Both released to Central Booking CC # 200900036487
On October 14, 2009 at approximately 2:13 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to a residence on the three hundred (300) block of Pryor Avenue for the report of a domestic assault. Upon arrival the officers met with the female victim who advised that the below listed suspect had struck the victim several times, had choked the victim and had threatened the victim during an argument. The victim did not require medical attention.
ARRESTED: Garrick Levin Wharton, Sr., 37 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Second degree assault
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900036589
On October 14, 2009 at approximately 8:00 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police observed the below listed suspect on property posted against trespassing on W. Main St. The suspect was approached for information and pushed one of the officers before fleeing the area on foot. During the foot chase the suspect attempted to drop a plastic bag. The bag was recovered and was found to contain a number of smaller bags of suspected “crack”/cocaine. The suspect was caught and was placed under arrest.
ARRESTED: Rudolph Valentina Palmer, 44 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute
Possession of cocaine
Second degree assault
Possession of CDS/paraphernalia
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900036636
On October 14, 2009 at approximately 11:45 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect on an outstanding warrant for a theft that occurred on October 9 of this year. On that date the suspect took a bicycle, a cd player and a weed trimmer from a residence on the five hundred (500) block of Buena Vista Avenue.
ARRESTED: Bryan Andre Hyland, 38 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Theft (over $ 1000)
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900036029
THE YEAR IS 1947
The year is 1947
Some of you will recall that a little over 62 years ago, witnesses claim that an unidentified flying object (UFO) with five aliens aboard crashed onto a sheep and mule ranch just outside Roswell , New Mexico . This is a well known incident that many say has long been covered up by the U.S. Air Force and other federal agencies and organizations.
However, what you may NOT know is that nine months later, the following people were born:
Albert A. Gore, Jr.
Hillary Rodham
John F. Kerry
William J. Clinton
Howard Dean
Nancy Pelosi
Dianne Feinstein
Charles E. Schumer
Barbara Boxer
See what happens when aliens breed with sheep and jackasses?
I certainly hope this bit of information clears up a lot of things for you. It did for me.
No wonder they support the bill to help illegal aliens!
Now You Know.
Some of you will recall that a little over 62 years ago, witnesses claim that an unidentified flying object (UFO) with five aliens aboard crashed onto a sheep and mule ranch just outside Roswell , New Mexico . This is a well known incident that many say has long been covered up by the U.S. Air Force and other federal agencies and organizations.
However, what you may NOT know is that nine months later, the following people were born:
Albert A. Gore, Jr.
Hillary Rodham
John F. Kerry
William J. Clinton
Howard Dean
Nancy Pelosi
Dianne Feinstein
Charles E. Schumer
Barbara Boxer
See what happens when aliens breed with sheep and jackasses?
I certainly hope this bit of information clears up a lot of things for you. It did for me.
No wonder they support the bill to help illegal aliens!
Now You Know.
On The First Day, God Created Dog
On the first day, God created the dog and said:
'Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years.'
The dog said: 'That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?'
So God agreed.
On the second day, God created the monkey and said:
'Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span.'
The monkey said: 'Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the dog did?'
And God agreed.
On the third day, God created the cow and said:
'You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years.'
The cow said: 'That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?'
And God agreed again.
On the fourth day, God created man and said:
'Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years.'
But man said: 'Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?'
'Okay,' said God, 'You asked for it.'
So that is why for our first twenty years we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.
Life has now been explained to you.
There is no need to thank me for this valuable information. I'm doing it as a public service.
'Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years.'
The dog said: 'That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?'
So God agreed.
On the second day, God created the monkey and said:
'Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span.'
The monkey said: 'Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the dog did?'
And God agreed.
On the third day, God created the cow and said:
'You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years.'
The cow said: 'That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?'
And God agreed again.
On the fourth day, God created man and said:
'Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years.'
But man said: 'Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?'
'Okay,' said God, 'You asked for it.'
So that is why for our first twenty years we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.
Life has now been explained to you.
There is no need to thank me for this valuable information. I'm doing it as a public service.
Lipizzaner Stallions
Enjoy the Graceful Dance of the Lipizzaner Stallions
(Salisbury, MD) The "World Famous" Lipizzaner Stallions proudly presents their 40th anniversary presentation of the "Dancing White Stallions"! Over the years, more than twenty-six million people throughout North and South America, Europe, Australia and Hawaii have seen this internationally acclaimed spectacle. It is now dancing its way into the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center on Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13. Both shows will take place at 7:30pm.
The Lipizzaner Stallion has galloped boldly out of the pages of over 425 years of history and are now preserved as an equestrian work of art, performing a unique equine ballet that has no rival. Harkening back to a time when the horse was a symbol of grace and majesty, the Lipizzaner Stallions are truly a great experience to be enjoyed by the entire family!
Tickets are available for purchase and range in price from $17.50 to $26.50. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. Tickets are available for purchase at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office (500 Glen Ave. Salisbury, MD), online at www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org or by phone at 410-548-4911. Additional facility fees, ticketing fees, service charges and/or taxes may be included in (or added to) ticket prices. Please call 410-548-4911 for more information or visit www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org.
(Salisbury, MD) The "World Famous" Lipizzaner Stallions proudly presents their 40th anniversary presentation of the "Dancing White Stallions"! Over the years, more than twenty-six million people throughout North and South America, Europe, Australia and Hawaii have seen this internationally acclaimed spectacle. It is now dancing its way into the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center on Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13. Both shows will take place at 7:30pm.
The Lipizzaner Stallion has galloped boldly out of the pages of over 425 years of history and are now preserved as an equestrian work of art, performing a unique equine ballet that has no rival. Harkening back to a time when the horse was a symbol of grace and majesty, the Lipizzaner Stallions are truly a great experience to be enjoyed by the entire family!
Tickets are available for purchase and range in price from $17.50 to $26.50. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. Tickets are available for purchase at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office (500 Glen Ave. Salisbury, MD), online at www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org or by phone at 410-548-4911. Additional facility fees, ticketing fees, service charges and/or taxes may be included in (or added to) ticket prices. Please call 410-548-4911 for more information or visit www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org.
AN ENTIRELY NEW MEANING
Ever since the September, 1814 day when Francis Scott Key penned, "The Star Spangled Banner", our national anthem, four words had a special meaning. "THE LAND OF THE FREE" James Madison, the fourth President was in office at that time during the war of 1812. From Madison through George W. Bush the meaning was clear. We are a Free People, Free to live as we wished, Free to buy or not to buy whatever we wanted.
Today, I am not at all certain the meaning is the same. Are we still free to by the car of our choice? Will we be forced to buy insurance by government mandate? Does free now mean a government handout? The government seems to feel we must be told what to eat, what to weigh and how much exercise we need. What is the proper temperature to keep our homes at? What will be our source of energy? How much government intrusion into our lives is acceptable? Government will determine how much of your work results you get to keep. Government will decide who is deserving of charity and use your money to make the contribution. Is this "THE LAND OF THE FREE" you were born to?
NO, I don't intend to leave, but I do intend to fight to return to the original meaning. Will you fight or surrender?
Joel
Today, I am not at all certain the meaning is the same. Are we still free to by the car of our choice? Will we be forced to buy insurance by government mandate? Does free now mean a government handout? The government seems to feel we must be told what to eat, what to weigh and how much exercise we need. What is the proper temperature to keep our homes at? What will be our source of energy? How much government intrusion into our lives is acceptable? Government will determine how much of your work results you get to keep. Government will decide who is deserving of charity and use your money to make the contribution. Is this "THE LAND OF THE FREE" you were born to?
NO, I don't intend to leave, but I do intend to fight to return to the original meaning. Will you fight or surrender?
Joel
Wicomico Neighborhood Congress
Wicomico Neighborhood Congress
P.O. Box 145
Sharptown, Maryland 21861
“Education, Organization, Empowerment & Advocacy”
The Wicomico Neighborhood Congress (WNC) is pleased to inform you of our 2nd annual conference. The event will be held on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at Salisbury University -Guerrieri Center in the Nanticoke Room at 6:30 PM. – with registration at 6:15. This letter is being sent in an effort to update you on the WNC and to ask for your participation.
The initial community concerns brought forth during the first conference include:
Public safety - Crime, drugs, gangs…
Environment – Over development of agricultural land, storm water runoff, the quality of water in our lakes, streams and aquifers…
Housing – Code compliance, rentals, slum & blight…
Quality of life – Internet service, local T.V. channels…
We are pleased to announce that First Sergeant Tim Robinson with the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Department will be addressing one of the community’s topics of highest concern - crime. First Sergeant Robinson will also instruct us on “How to Establish a Neighborhood Crime Watch in Your Neighborhood.”
A second item of highest concern is our environment and our next guest speaker, Margaret Enloe with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation - Heart of the Chesapeake, will be speaking on this topic. Margaret will also be instructing us on: “Rain gardens: A household way to improve drinking water in your community”.
Finally we will have our very own Wicomico Neighborhood Congress board member Michael Pretl, experienced non-profit attorney, hosting our third breakout session. Mike will be speaking about and answering questions pertaining to home owners associations while addressing the topic of: “Establishing a Home Owners Association in your Neighborhood.”
Please join us or have a representative join us to express the concerns of you and/or your neighborhood. It is our vision that the WNC will bring together the residents of Wicomico County to address all issues of importance concerning our neighborhoods. In doing so, we hope to motivate and empower our members to help improve the quality of life for all of our citizens.
Best regards,
Mayor James Ireton, Jr.
WNC Chairman Executive Board
Chairman: James Ireton, Jr. - Secretary: Mary Jane Marine - Treasurer: Lena Wallop
Board Members: Kurt Drechsler - Cindy Pilchard - Mike Pretl - Constance Strott
P.O. Box 145
Sharptown, Maryland 21861
“Education, Organization, Empowerment & Advocacy”
The Wicomico Neighborhood Congress (WNC) is pleased to inform you of our 2nd annual conference. The event will be held on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at Salisbury University -Guerrieri Center in the Nanticoke Room at 6:30 PM. – with registration at 6:15. This letter is being sent in an effort to update you on the WNC and to ask for your participation.
The initial community concerns brought forth during the first conference include:
Public safety - Crime, drugs, gangs…
Environment – Over development of agricultural land, storm water runoff, the quality of water in our lakes, streams and aquifers…
Housing – Code compliance, rentals, slum & blight…
Quality of life – Internet service, local T.V. channels…
We are pleased to announce that First Sergeant Tim Robinson with the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Department will be addressing one of the community’s topics of highest concern - crime. First Sergeant Robinson will also instruct us on “How to Establish a Neighborhood Crime Watch in Your Neighborhood.”
A second item of highest concern is our environment and our next guest speaker, Margaret Enloe with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation - Heart of the Chesapeake, will be speaking on this topic. Margaret will also be instructing us on: “Rain gardens: A household way to improve drinking water in your community”.
Finally we will have our very own Wicomico Neighborhood Congress board member Michael Pretl, experienced non-profit attorney, hosting our third breakout session. Mike will be speaking about and answering questions pertaining to home owners associations while addressing the topic of: “Establishing a Home Owners Association in your Neighborhood.”
Please join us or have a representative join us to express the concerns of you and/or your neighborhood. It is our vision that the WNC will bring together the residents of Wicomico County to address all issues of importance concerning our neighborhoods. In doing so, we hope to motivate and empower our members to help improve the quality of life for all of our citizens.
Best regards,
Mayor James Ireton, Jr.
WNC Chairman Executive Board
Chairman: James Ireton, Jr. - Secretary: Mary Jane Marine - Treasurer: Lena Wallop
Board Members: Kurt Drechsler - Cindy Pilchard - Mike Pretl - Constance Strott
Throwing The Baby Out With The Bathwater
In this case, the baby is the Impact Tax. In our headlong rush to cut taxes and starve government we are overlooking the fact that some taxes have merit.
In this case the Impact Tax is being politicized and demonized and made the “bad tax” by the use of erroneous statements, voodoo math and misleading diatribes for no other reason but that it is politically expedient. People are emotional about it and this lends itself nicely to political rhetoric. Political expedience, not good sense is driving some agendas.
I have read that we “will no longer build Schools”, “Cecil County does not have it”, “it is unfair”, “home building is being stopped”, “it does not generate enough revenue to matter”, and the like.
What the Impact Tax does is tax the “New People” moving into our community, not the ones already here. This is based on the assumption that new people into a community UNFAIRLY burden the existing tax payers by needing additional new schools. What the Impact Tax does is place part of the cost of this new building on the new people who need it, not the ones already living there who have paid for their existing schools.
What the Impact Tax does for existing Tax Payers: It pays for the construction of new schools. BRAC is, if you believe the reports, bringing 20,000 new jobs into the County. Let’s discount that to 5,000 additional children. These will require the construction of 2 to 3 new schools, each with a price tag of 80 to 90 million dollars. Without the Impact tax, the entire cost of these new schools will fall on the existing tax payers and I do not think it is fair. With the Impact Tax $43,000,000 falls on the new households. Without the Impact Tax, that $43,000,000 would fall on the shoulders of the existing tax payers. Now, what is so fair about that??
CECIL County utilizes an Excise Tax to help cover its new construction.
This tax hits all tax payers, new and existing alike. They wish they had an Impact Tax and are working to get one.
What is worse, The EXCISE TAX is not tax deductable on your Federal Tax Return while the Impact Tax, as part of the cost of a home is.
As for the Builders, they are out of sorts because they are forced to pay the Impact Tax before they start building. This ties up scarce funds, for as long as 18 months. In a cash tight market not very desirable.
We can readily solve this issue by moving the payment of the Impact Tax back to when the home is sold. That will get the builders off the hook by freeing up their funds so they can get back to building again. Every builder I interviewed said as much.
So, now what are we left with…….the Impact Tax is ALSO being used to pay down the Forward Funding Bonds that were sold when our existing schools were built. You can cut off the revenue stream that the Impact Tax creates, but the Bonds must still be paid for. Also there are some of in our leadership (DG said so in an Aegis article) who desire to raise the TRANSFER TAX (which affects existing taxpayers and new tax payers alike) to make up for the shortfall of no Impact Tax...What is the wisdom to that???
So then what happens when the Impact Tax is repealed?? The County is forced to raise taxes on the existing tax payers so the Bond obligations can be paid. So now where are you?? That is correct, you end up paying more taxes on top of what you are already paying. Does not sound too smart does it????
So why does an avid and active member of the Tea Party Movement support KEEPING the Impact Tax.
Because the Impact Tax reduces the tax burden on existing Tax Payers and those tax payers are the constituency of the Tea Party Movement.
Tony Passaro
Bel Air Tea Party Movement
In this case the Impact Tax is being politicized and demonized and made the “bad tax” by the use of erroneous statements, voodoo math and misleading diatribes for no other reason but that it is politically expedient. People are emotional about it and this lends itself nicely to political rhetoric. Political expedience, not good sense is driving some agendas.
I have read that we “will no longer build Schools”, “Cecil County does not have it”, “it is unfair”, “home building is being stopped”, “it does not generate enough revenue to matter”, and the like.
What the Impact Tax does is tax the “New People” moving into our community, not the ones already here. This is based on the assumption that new people into a community UNFAIRLY burden the existing tax payers by needing additional new schools. What the Impact Tax does is place part of the cost of this new building on the new people who need it, not the ones already living there who have paid for their existing schools.
What the Impact Tax does for existing Tax Payers: It pays for the construction of new schools. BRAC is, if you believe the reports, bringing 20,000 new jobs into the County. Let’s discount that to 5,000 additional children. These will require the construction of 2 to 3 new schools, each with a price tag of 80 to 90 million dollars. Without the Impact tax, the entire cost of these new schools will fall on the existing tax payers and I do not think it is fair. With the Impact Tax $43,000,000 falls on the new households. Without the Impact Tax, that $43,000,000 would fall on the shoulders of the existing tax payers. Now, what is so fair about that??
CECIL County utilizes an Excise Tax to help cover its new construction.
This tax hits all tax payers, new and existing alike. They wish they had an Impact Tax and are working to get one.
What is worse, The EXCISE TAX is not tax deductable on your Federal Tax Return while the Impact Tax, as part of the cost of a home is.
As for the Builders, they are out of sorts because they are forced to pay the Impact Tax before they start building. This ties up scarce funds, for as long as 18 months. In a cash tight market not very desirable.
We can readily solve this issue by moving the payment of the Impact Tax back to when the home is sold. That will get the builders off the hook by freeing up their funds so they can get back to building again. Every builder I interviewed said as much.
So, now what are we left with…….the Impact Tax is ALSO being used to pay down the Forward Funding Bonds that were sold when our existing schools were built. You can cut off the revenue stream that the Impact Tax creates, but the Bonds must still be paid for. Also there are some of in our leadership (DG said so in an Aegis article) who desire to raise the TRANSFER TAX (which affects existing taxpayers and new tax payers alike) to make up for the shortfall of no Impact Tax...What is the wisdom to that???
So then what happens when the Impact Tax is repealed?? The County is forced to raise taxes on the existing tax payers so the Bond obligations can be paid. So now where are you?? That is correct, you end up paying more taxes on top of what you are already paying. Does not sound too smart does it????
So why does an avid and active member of the Tea Party Movement support KEEPING the Impact Tax.
Because the Impact Tax reduces the tax burden on existing Tax Payers and those tax payers are the constituency of the Tea Party Movement.
Tony Passaro
Bel Air Tea Party Movement
A Comment Worthy Of A Post
Folks I wore the Brown Uniform in Wic.Wor.an Som. Counties for nearly 28 years.
When I hung up my gun several years ago I was dam glad to take it off an leave it off.But never in my wildest dreams would I ever thought I'd see the hometown I've had all my life turn into Tombstone.
I am not going to sit here and demean the Officers of the Salisbury Police Dept. As I served under some of the worst Superiors my Agency could possibly put in a Supervisory capacity and some of the best, at least they were dedicated individuals who had geniune concern for the people we protected and got involved in investigations an directed the course of these investigations to bring them to a successful conclusion and instituted policies and programs specificly targeting the crime ridden areas of the time. Salisbury PD's problems clearly go right to the top.
Sad to say I now carry a gun again, not one but 2,it use to be I'd carry a firearm only at night depending on my travels, now I carry one both day and night, one in a shoulder holster and one in my vehicle/s.The point is I'm never without one.
The only advice I could offer is to encourage all duty personnel and retired officers to carry a weapon 24/7. With the tide of crime the way its running in Salisbury its only a matter of time before one of us run into a violent crime of one sort or another. For the citizen out there, if you have the time or inclination take a Certified Firearms Course, apply for and obtain a Handgun Permit.
I know some will not agree and thats fine but there are statistics out there which demonstrate lower crime rates when the citizens are armed. Lastly you have two of the most powerful weapons known to man, the power of the pen and the vote.Scrutinize the people very closley your voting for in the next elections, its we the people who run this show and make it clear if they don't work for us their term will end at 1.
Its clear the current City and County Government now is lost. It may even be worth the effort to push a movement for a County Police Dept. absorbing the local PD's.
I'm no expert in Politics, I'm not qualified to be a Chief of Police but there is one thing I do know unless Law Enforcement redistributes their resourses and get feet on the street,the crime problem is going to get worse, and some innocent will get caught in a crossfire.
Just the ramblings of an old retired cop...........
When I hung up my gun several years ago I was dam glad to take it off an leave it off.But never in my wildest dreams would I ever thought I'd see the hometown I've had all my life turn into Tombstone.
I am not going to sit here and demean the Officers of the Salisbury Police Dept. As I served under some of the worst Superiors my Agency could possibly put in a Supervisory capacity and some of the best, at least they were dedicated individuals who had geniune concern for the people we protected and got involved in investigations an directed the course of these investigations to bring them to a successful conclusion and instituted policies and programs specificly targeting the crime ridden areas of the time. Salisbury PD's problems clearly go right to the top.
Sad to say I now carry a gun again, not one but 2,it use to be I'd carry a firearm only at night depending on my travels, now I carry one both day and night, one in a shoulder holster and one in my vehicle/s.The point is I'm never without one.
The only advice I could offer is to encourage all duty personnel and retired officers to carry a weapon 24/7. With the tide of crime the way its running in Salisbury its only a matter of time before one of us run into a violent crime of one sort or another. For the citizen out there, if you have the time or inclination take a Certified Firearms Course, apply for and obtain a Handgun Permit.
I know some will not agree and thats fine but there are statistics out there which demonstrate lower crime rates when the citizens are armed. Lastly you have two of the most powerful weapons known to man, the power of the pen and the vote.Scrutinize the people very closley your voting for in the next elections, its we the people who run this show and make it clear if they don't work for us their term will end at 1.
Its clear the current City and County Government now is lost. It may even be worth the effort to push a movement for a County Police Dept. absorbing the local PD's.
I'm no expert in Politics, I'm not qualified to be a Chief of Police but there is one thing I do know unless Law Enforcement redistributes their resourses and get feet on the street,the crime problem is going to get worse, and some innocent will get caught in a crossfire.
Just the ramblings of an old retired cop...........
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