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Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Obama Takes On ‘Devastation’ Of Recession


In State of the Union, president calls for three-year spending freeze

Declaring that “I do not accept second place for the United States of America,” President Barack Obama compared the economic crisis to the greatest challenges of the nation’s past, saying “history’s call” demanded a years-long freeze on huge chunks of popular government spending programs.

In his first State of the Union address, Obama bluntly compared the recession to great challenges of the past like the Civil War and the bloody struggle for civil rights in the 1960s. While there has been progress, it has stalled, he said, telling lawmakers in the House chamber and millions of Americans at home that “the devastation remains.”

“I take my share of the blame for not explaining it more clearly to the American people,” Obama said. “... This problem is not going away.”

GO HERE to read more.

Girl Pulled Out Alive 15 Days After Haiti Quake


17-year-old was under rubble of home that collapsed in Port-au-Prince

PORT-AU-PRINCE
- French rescuers pulled a teenage girl from the rubble of a home near the destroyed St. Gerard University on Wednesday, a stunning recovery 15 days after an earthquake devastated the city.

Darlene Etienne, near death from dehydration and a broken leg, was rushed to a French military field hospital and then to a hospital ship, groaning through an oxygen mask with her eyes open in a lost stare.

"She's alive!" said paramedic Paul Francois-Valette, who accompanied her into the hospital.

GO HERE to read more.

BHO OMG


Mr. A, I am watching Obama speech he has yet to look at the AMERICA PEOPLE !!!! Who are the jokers standing up for his every lying word he spits out.? I am sick, I will vote to get him out and anyone that backs him. He is trying to tell us all that he did and he is lying. All I can say is he has done nothing but hurt America. Thank God he give his wife a job. He won't walk away from us, he will run and leave us in his wake as he turns he back on us. He is making jokes telling us what he is going to do to help us. So why has he not don't that? I can't watch anymore, he make ill.

Here She Comes


This storm will take dead aim at the central Atlantic region this weekend. There is no escape. Like it or not, snowflakes are gonna fly.

The winter storm will get started in Tennessee and Kentucky Friday then spread into the Virginias and western North Carolina late Friday and Friday night, with much of Delmarva's snow occurring late Friday night and on through Saturday. The latest guess is 3-6 inches, but with these storms you never know till it happens.

The possibility of icing exists, as well (depending on the track), and should be included in preparations.

This will be a cold storm with temperatures ranging from the teens to middle 20s where it is snowing. It probably will not be classified as a blizzard due to a lack of strong winds-- it will be breezy, nevertheless.

The cold snap will be somewhat brutal, but should be brief with a warm up next week.

More from Accuweather.

Found Dog In Pittsville


Mr. Albero:

We hope you can help us. Today a dog wandered in to the Pittsville Library in Pittsville, Maryland. He is a tan and white male boxer. He appears to be an older guy with lots of gray around the face. He has lots of little bumps on his nose and some marks on his skin in various areas. He was wearing a blue collar with multi colored designs on it (no tags). He is extremely friendly around adults and kids and even knew the sit command. He was a bit on the skinny side and was dirty like he had been on the road a bit. It appeared he had a couple of lipomas on his side as well.

He was almost hit by a car and with the bad weather coming up he was taken to the Humane Society where they said they would keep him for 6 days and after 6 days if his temperment and health are ok he would be put up for adoption. His temperment is wonderful and he seemed healthy to a non-trained eye. I have attached two photos of him. If you could post a little something on your site about him, perhaps his family will see him and be able to go get him or perhaps a reader who is looking for a great older buddy may want to adopt him if he is not claimed. He is a wonderful old guy who seemed very lost and in need of a friend.

Thank you!

WCBOE Uses Tax Dollars for Hooter’s and Vegas Junkets

Wicomico Councilman Joe Holloway NO – this is not a joke.  I wish it were.

Speaking at a meeting of the Wicomico chapter of Americans for Prosperity, Wicomico Councilman Joe Holloway provided several examples of misuse of the taxpayers’ money by the Wicomico County Board of Education (WCBOE).  These included:

  • A trip to Hooter’s
  • A Las Vegas junket and tickets to a Toby Keith concert
  • Starbucks coffee (why drink the cheap stuff when you ain’t paying for it)

Holloway’s theme was that Wicomico County government doesn’t need its citizens to pay more taxes, it needs to cut spending.  I can’t wait for the WCBOE’s spin on this one.

READ MORE …

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Needs A Home

There is a female Chesapeake Bay retriever at the Worcester County Animal Control facility in Snow Hill, 6207 Timmons Road, that needs a good home. She was found about a week ago near Girdletree and the owners have yet to claim her. The staff at Paws and Claws in West Ocean City believes the dog is between 1 and 2 years old, and says she is very mild-mannered and very friendly. Please, if this is your dog or if you are interested in giving this dog a home, contact Animal Control at 410-632-1340 or call Paws and Claws at 410-213-7490.

FYI: Worcester County Animal Control DOES euthanize animals …

Selbyville Man Runs Out Of Gas So He Steals A Truck


























Location:
38000 block of East Murphy Circle Selbyville, Delaware

DATE and TIME:
Tuesday January 26, 2010 10:40 p.m.

Victim(s):
Weather or Not (a business)

Defendant(s):
Clyde C. Campbell IV-20 of unit block Main St. Selbyville
Toni Palmes-48 of unit block Main St. Selbyville

Charge(s):
Campbell:
Theft of a Motor Vehicle
Resisting Arrest
Driving while Suspended or Revoked
Palmes:
Hindering Prosecution

Bond Information:
Campbell: released on $3,000 unsecured bond
Palmes: released on $500.00 unsecured bond

Resume:

Delaware State Police Tuesday January 26, 2010 investigated a theft of a motor vehicle in the 38000 block of East Murphy Circle Selbyville, Delaware.

Troopers responded to the residence and learned that a 2001 Ford F-250 was taken from the victim’s yard. The person in possession of the vehicle was an employee of “Weather or Not.”

The victim heard a noise outside his residence and when he went to investigate observed the Ford F-250 as missing. The victim notified the police who responded. While the Trooper was investigating the incident the victim observed his truck approaching his home. The driver Clyde C. Campbell-20 of Selbyville accelerated from the area. The trooper pursued the Ford truck and initially lost site of it. The Trooper however caught up to the Ford which had stopped on Hudson Road N/O SR 54. The Trooper next observed a female Toni Palmes walking away from the truck. Campbell had fled on foot prior to the Troopers arrival and later apprehended at his residence.

Upon interviewing Palmes the Trooper was given a misleading story of why Palmes was around the area. Troopers eventually obtained information which advised that Clyde C. Campbell was operating Palmes’ van earlier when it ran out of gas. Campbell next pulled into a private driveway than approached the Ford truck. Campbell gained access into the truck, located keys and drove away. Campbell and Palmes were actually en route back to the victim’s location to return the truck when they came into contact with the police and fled.

Campbell was arrested for the theft of the truck and Palmes for Hindering the Troopers efforts in conducting an investigation. Campbell was released on $3,000 unsecured bond and Palmes on $500.00 unsecured bond.

OCEAN CITY POLICE ARREST NINE IN BURGLARY/DRUG RING


The Ocean City Police Department recently concluded an investigation that resulted in the arrest of nine (9) individuals involved in a narcotic distribution and burglary ring. With the help of the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team (CET), the MSP Drug Task Force and the Worcester County Star team, the Ocean City Police Department was able to seize over $3,000 and recover seven (7) stolen flat screen televisions, numerous personal electronic devices and a firearm.

The Ocean City Police Criminal Investigation Division began a narcotics investigation in November 2009, focusing on the illegal distribution of Oxycodone. The burglary investigation, involving the same suspects, began in early January 2010, when the undercover detective was able to purchase two (2) stolen flat screen televisions and two (2) stolen DVD players from the suspects.

During the ensuing investigation, both Patrol Officers and detectives were able to identify suspects involved in the burglaries throughout the Ocean City area.
On January 19 and 20, 2010, Ocean City Police arrested the following individuals involved in the burglaries:

Shawn Barry White, Jr. 22, of Berlin, Maryland has been charged with;
o 18 counts of 1st Degree Burglary
o 3 counts of Misdemeanor Theft
o 1 count of Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance
o 1 count of Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
o 1 count of Purchasing a non-CDS

Christopher Tyler Kreppel, 24, of Ocean City, Maryland has been charged with:
o 13 counts of 1st Degree Burglary
o 1 count of Misdemeanor Theft
o 1 count of Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
o 1 count of Purchasing a non-CDS

David Lee Powell, 21, of Berlin, Maryland has been charged with:
o 18 counts of 1st Degree Burglary
o 3 counts of Misdemeanor Theft

During the investigation the following persons were arrested, in reference to the illegal possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances:

Gary Lee Montgomery, Jr., 33, of Bishopville, Maryland was charged with:
o 1 count of possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
- Jerry Lee Gully, Jr., 23, of Pittsville, Maryland was charged with:
o 1 count of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance

Michael Alan Cooper, 25, of Ocean City, Maryland was charged with:
o 1 count of Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
o 1 count of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance

Shawna Nowell Williams, 19, of Berlin, Maryland was charged with:
o 3 counts of Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
o 3 counts of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
- Justin Matthew Caple, 21, of Rawlings, Maryland was charged with:
o 1 count of Purchasing a non-CDS

Michael Anthony Gates, 21, of Bishopville, Maryland was charged with:
o 1 count of Purchasing a non-CDS

All of the suspects were seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner:

Shawn Barry White, Jr. and Christopher Tyler Kreppel are each being held on $200,000
bonds. David Lee Powell and Shawna Nowell Williams are each being held on $250,000
bond. White, Kreppel Williams and Powell were transferred to the Worcester County Jail.

Gary Lee Montgomery, Jr., Jerry Lee Gully, Jr., Justin Matthew Caple and Michael Anthony Gates were all released on their own recognizance.

At this time investigators have been able to identify 29 residences that were burglarized. Search & Seizure Warrants were served at residences in Berlin and West Ocean City and has resulted in the recovery of stolen televisions and related evidence. A search of a second West Ocean City location led to the recovery of additional stolen televisions and a shotgun which was also possibly stolen. While the Ocean City Police have recovered a portion of the stolen property, they believe
many of the stolen televisions may have been sold or traded for drugs and are still in the community.

Investigators continue to pursue active leads and anticipate recovering more of the stolen property, including approximately 25 additional flat screen televisions. The investigation may lead to the issuance of more search and seizure warrants authorizing the recovery of stolen property. The Ocean City Police Department asks that citizens contact the Criminal Investigation Division if they possess or
have knowledge of a television or electronics that they suspect may be stolen.

The OCPD, with the approval of the Worcester County States Attorney Office, is prepared to grant amnesty from prosecution to those persons not involved in the burglaries who come forward on or prior to February 14, 2010. Citizens should contact the OCPD with information regarding the burglaries or the location of any of the stolen property. Anyone found in possession of stolen items that does not
come forward will be charged and prosecuted.

If you have any information regarding the stolen items, please contact Ocean City Police Detective Brett Case at 410-723-6632, or bring the property to the Ocean City Police Department located at 6501 Coastal Highway, Ocean City.








District 38B Delegates To Hold Town Meetings


As part of an ongoing effort to keep in touch with community needs, Del. James Mathias and Del. Norman Conway will hold town meetings through February with the goal to help them make informed decisions during the 2010 session of the Maryland General Assembly.

“The 427th Session of the General Assembly is now underway and there are many measures up for consideration such as balancing the State Budget and bills that target sexual predators,” Conway said. “These town meetings will be an opportunity to share any concerns you may have with your Delegates.”

Conway and Mathias are looking forward to hearing about issues important to the citizens of Worcester and Wicomico Counties. The pair held similar town meetings at the beginning of 2009, and they both want to encourage all their constituents to attend again this year. They hope citizens will take the opportunity to share their opinions and concerns with the delegates, as well as learn what the 2010 General Assembly session will involve.

“Please come and let us know what’s on your mind as we continue to work hard for you on the Eastern Shore,” Mathias said.

Those who are unable to attend the meetings can contact Mathias and Conway directly. Their district office telephone numbers are listed below.

The following town meetings have been scheduled:

Sat. Feb. 06      10-11:30 am      Ocean City VFD Headquarters
Sat. Feb. 06      1:30-300 pm        Ocean Pines Library
Sat. Feb. 13      10-11:30 am      Pocomoke VFD
Sat. Feb. 13      2-3:30 pm      Snow Hill Library
Sat. Feb. 20      11-12:30 pm         Salisbury - Wicomico Public Library
Sat. Feb. 20 3-4:30 pm Town Hall of Berlin

For more information call:
District office, Del. Conway – 410-543-9060
District office, Del. Mathias – 410-352-3096.

Prank Or Crime By Activists At Senator's Office?


Man who exposed ACORN arrested over Sen. Landrieu phone scheme

NEW ORLEANS
- The four men accused of trying to tamper with Democratic U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu's office phones share a common experience as young ideologues writing for conservative publications.

Federal authorities said two of the men posed as telephone workers wearing hard hats, tool belts and fluorescent vests when they walked into the senator's office inside a federal building in New Orleans on Monday. The other two were accused of helping to organize the plan.

The most well-known of the suspects is James O'Keefe, a 25-year-old whose hidden-camera expose posing as a pimp with his prostitute infuriated the liberal group ACORN and made him a darling of conservatives.

GO HERE to read more.

BREAKING NEWS


GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO PROTECT MARYLANDERS FROM SEXUAL PREDATORS

Governor convenes Sexual Offender Advisory Board to reform 2006 law

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 27, 2010)
– Governor Martin O’Malley announced today a series of legislative initiatives targeted at protecting Maryland families from sexual predators and strict enforcement of sex offender laws, including lifetime supervision for certain sex offenses. The Governor also announced legislation to reconstitute the Sexual Offender Advisory Board, and has asked former Maryland Attorney General Joseph Curran to serve as Chair. The Board will initially serve to advocate for legislation to strengthen the Board and redefine its purpose.

“There should be absolutely no mercy shown to anyone who harms a child in our State, and our legislation serves to impose the strictest standards of supervision to ensure that Maryland’s children are protected,” said Governor O’Malley. “There is a lot we do better than we used to as a state with regard to public safety, and there is still a lot of work to be done. I want to thank Joe Curran for agreeing to extend his public service in this capacity, and look forward to working with the General Assembly to strengthen our efforts even more.”

The Sexual Offender Advisory Board was established in 2006 and charged with, among other things, training sexual offender management teams in the Division of Parole and Probation, certifying sexual offender treatment providers, and making policy recommendations. However, there was no requirement that the members of this Board have any of the specialized skills necessary for certifying programs, conducting training, or even making policy recommendations. For that reason, and others, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has introduced legislation for the past three years to reenact this Board so that it is properly constituted and charged. The Governor introduced legislation today to ensure the Board is properly constituted and charged.

“I have been a long-time supporter of lifetime supervision for our state's most violent sexual predators. The proposed Board will ensure that experts with specialized experience working with both victims and offenders are addressing these extremely serious cases,” said former Maryland Attorney General Joe Curran. “I look forward to serving as the Board’s chair and want to get to work immediately. I plan to meet with the staff tomorrow evening and to convene a Board meeting next week.”

Curran served as Attorney General for Maryland from 1986 to 2007. He was Lieutenant Governor from 1983 to 1986, and before that served in the State Senate and the House of Delegates for nearly a quarter of a century. As Attorney General, Mr. Curran initiated statewide reform in the areas of consumer protection, criminal investigations, Medicaid fraud prosecution, securities regulation, antitrust enforcement, protection of children and teens, parents, seniors, protection of victims of domestic violence and sexual predators. He also worked to strengthen criminal laws against gun violence, prescription drug abuse, and was an opponent of slots and casino gambling. Curran is a graduate of the University of Baltimore and the University of Baltimore School of Law.

The Governor announced today a comprehensive set of legislative initiatives aimed at protecting Maryland families:

Sexual Offenders – Lifetime Supervision

The bill requires that courts sentence certain serious sex offenders (convicted of first degree rape/attempt; second degree rape/attempt; first degree sexual offense/attempt; certain second and third degree sexual offenses; certain sexual abuse of a minor) and sexual offenders with multiple offenses to mandatory lifetime supervision. This lifetime supervision must be consecutive to any sentence or probationary term imposed for the underlying offense. The sentencing court must order a presentence investigation prior to imposing the conditions of this lifetime supervision, which may include GPS monitoring. The bill also provides for criminal penalties for violations and provides that any sentence imposed for a violation of lifetime supervision is not subject to dimunition credits.

The bill further provides that, following the original sentence and an additional three years of lifetime supervision, a person may petition the sentencing court for discharge from this supervision. In order to file a petition, a person must have a recommendation from their supervising agent and a risk assessment conducted by a sexual offender treatment provider. A sentencing court may not discharge a person from lifetime supervision unless there is a finding that the person no longer poses an unacceptable risk to community safety.

Sexual Offender Advisory Board

This bill reconstitutes the Sexual Offender Advisory Board to be compromised of persons with specialized knowledge of sex offenders so that the Board can effectively make policy recommendations on how to best manage sex offenders and protect the public. The bill also alters the charge of the Board, directing the Board to: review the laws and practices in Maryland, including our registration requirements; work with the Judiciary to develop risk-assessment criteria for the lifetime supervision offenders; make recommendations for the treatment and management of sex offenders; develop standards for a statewide certification process for sexual offender treatment providers; and make recommendations regarding the training of sexual offender management teams.

Criminal Procedure - Sex Offenders - Notification and Registration

This proposal would bring the State into compliance with the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) (also known as the Adam Walsh Act), which creates minimum standards for sex offender registration. States have been given until July 2010 to come into “substantial” compliance or risk the loss of Byrne grant funds. The most significant changes include: making the registration requirements retroactive; re-classifying the sex offense categories; and requiring juvenile offenders to register publicly if convicted in adult court or if adjudicated delinquent for serious sexual offenses and at least 14 years of age.

Sexual Offender Registration – Indecent Exposure and Possession of Child Pornography

This bill would allow a judge to order a person convicted of (1) possession of child pornography; or (2) indecent exposure in the presence of a minor to register as a sexual offender. Currently, these crimes are not included on the Maryland registry and judges have no authority to order an offender to register for these offenses.

Registration of Sexual Offenders – Continuing Course of Conduct

This bill adds the crime of Continuing Course of Conduct with Child to the category of offenses for which a sexual offender, under certain circumstances, must register for life. The elements of the crime of “Continuing Course of Conduct” are: the commission of one or more of the following crimes at least three times over the course of 90 days to a child under the age of 14: first degree Rape; second degree Rape; first degree Sex Offense; second degree Sex Offense; third degree Sex Offense. Under current law, a conviction for any of the offenses, against a child under the age of 15, requires lifetime registration as a Child Sexual Offender. However, a conviction for Continuing Course of Conduct (three of these acts) gives a judge the discretion to order registration, but only 10 years as an Offender. This bill would remedy the inconsistency in the law and require similar registration guidelines for individuals who commit equally violent sex offenses.

Criminal Background Investigations – Employees of Facilities and Other Individuals that Care for or Supervise Children

This bill expands the categories of individuals who will be required to have a State and Federal background check. It requires background checks for employees of private entities running recreation centers as well as for employees of home health or residential service agencies licensed to provide home or community based health services for minors.

Ex-Attorney Pleads Guilty In $1.2B Ponzi Scam


Scott Rothstein, 47, pleads guilty to all five counts against him

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.
- A disbarred attorney who courted politicians and star athletes and led a flamboyant lifestyle even by South Florida standards pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges that he ran a $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme.

Scott Rothstein, 47, pleaded guilty to all five counts against him, including wire fraud, money-laundering conspiracy and a racketeering charge commonly used to take down Mafia chieftains. The charges carry a maximum potential sentence of 100 years in federal prison. Sentencing is set for May 6.

The plea caps a downward spiral that began in late October, when court documents say Rothstein fled Florida on a chartered jet to Morocco carrying $500,000 in cash after wiring another $16 million to a Casablanca account he controlled. He returned to face charges and has been in federal custody since the FBI arrested him Dec. 1.

GO HERE to read more.

TROOPERS CHARGE MAN WITH ASSAULT, DRUG CHARGES


On January 27, 2010 at 7:00 am, Troopers from the Salisbury Barrack of the Maryland State Police responded to a residence on Connelly Mill Road in Delmar in reference to an assault. Troopers met with a female victim who had obvious physical injuries and was transported to PRMC. Through further investigation, Troopers arrested Reginald Maurice Wallace, 26, of Salisbury with the incident. Wallace is accused of choking the victim and striking her with his fists. Wallace had a knife, a pellet style pistol and a suspected ecstasy pill in his possession. Wallace will be charged with assault 1st and 2nd degree, MDOP, possession of dangerous and deadly weapons, and possession of CDS and transported to the Wicomico County Detention Center for a hearing with a commissioner.

Sharon In Her Section 8 Home!


Sharon Jasper has spent 57 of her 58 years dedicated to one cause and one cause only, and has nothing to show for her dedicated servitude...

She has lived in Section 8 housing all but 1 of her 58 years. It was a legacy passed down from her parents who moved into Section 8 housing in 1949 when she was six months old. She has passed the legacy down to her children, but fears they may have to get jobs to pay for the utilities and deposits.

She laments about her one year hiatus from the comfort of her Section 8 nirvana, ' I tried it for a year -- you know, working and all. It's not anything I would want to go through again, or wish on anyone in my family, but I am damn proud of that year.'

Sharon was moved out of her St. Bernard housing project after hurricane Katrina and into a new, yet albeit, substandard quarterage. As can be noted from the above photo of her new Section 8 home, it is repugnant and not suitable for someone of Sharon Jasper's seniority status in the system. 'Don't be fooled by them hardwood floors,' says Sharon . 'They told me they were putting in scraped wood floors cause it was more expensive and elegant, but I am not a fool -- that was just a way to make me take scratched up wood because I am black. The 60 inch HD TV? It may look nice but it is not plasma. It's not a plasma because I'm black. Now they want me to pay a deposit and utilities on this dump.' 'Do you know why?'

She has held her tongue in silence through the years of abuse by the system, but it came to a head at the New Orleans ' city council meeting where discussions were under way about the tearing down of the St. Bernard projects. When a near riotous exchange between groups opposing the tearing down of St. Bernard and groups wanting the dilapidated buildings torn down and newer ones built, Sharon unleashed verbal hell with her once silenced tongue. The object of her oratory prowess was an acquiescent poor white boy in attendance. The context of her scathing rebuke was, 'Just because you pay for my house, my car, my big screen and my food, I will not be treated like a slave!' and 'Back up and Shut up! Shut up, white boy! Shut up, white boy!'

Recapping from the mental log of the city council minutes in her head, Sharon repines, 'Our families have been displaced all over the United States. They are being forced to commit crimes in cities they are unfamiliar with. It is a very uncomfortable situation for them. Bring them back, then let's talk about redevelopment.'

Sharon directs the reporter's attention across the street to Duncan Plaza where homeless people are living in tents and states that, 'I might do better out there with one of these tents.' She further lamented her sentiments about her situation, 'I might be poor, but I don't have to live poor.'

Any wonder why this country is in the shape it is? Maybe we should all just chip in and get her the plasma TV she so richly deserves!

Remember to pay your taxes - Sharon needs your help

Spread the wealth!

See snopes, most of this is confirmed.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/satire/jasper.asp

Today's Survey Question


There's a charity event going on at the Market Street Inn in the near future. They would like me to survey all of you to find out what three charities you support most. The top three charities will receive 10% of the business they take in that night.

SBYNews AT 6:00 TONIGHT


Don't miss our 6:00 PM broadcast tonight. Guaranteed to be our very best yet. This is one in which ALL of the MSM will have wished they had done. See you then.

Sales Of New Homes Sink 7.6 Percent Last Month

Worse-than-expected December results end weakest year on record

New home sales unexpectedly fell 7.6 percent last month, capping the industry's weakest year on record.

The Commerce Department said December sales fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 342,000 from an upwardly revised November pace of 370,000. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters had forecast a pace of 370,000 for December.

The results were the weakest since March and indicated demand remains sluggish despite newly expanded tax incentives to spur sales.

GO HERE to read more.

Toyota Suspending Sales Of Eight Recalled Cars


Vehicles may have a problem with the accelerator pedal sticking

TORRANCE, Calif.
- Toyota is suspending U.S. sales of eight car and truck models to fix sticking gas pedals and halting production lines at plants from Texas to Canada to deal with the problem, the latest to confront the world's No. 1 automaker.

The suspended sales, announced Tuesday, involve a significant portion of Toyota Motor Co.'s fleet and some of its most popular vehicles, including the Camry and Corolla. As part of the plan, Toyota is halting some production at five assembly plants beginning the week of Feb. 1 "to assess and coordinate activities."

There are 2.3 million vehicles involved in the recall, which was announced last week. Toyota has said it was unaware of any accidents or injuries due to the pedal problems associated with the recall, but could not rule them out for sure.

GO HERE to read more.

State Of The Union Drinking Game


"He shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the union and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient."-- U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section III
"Madame Speaker, the President of the United States..."
GO HERE to see more.

Poll: 77% Prioritize Jobs And Economy Over Reducing Pollution To The Chesapeake Bay

Three-quarters of Marylanders think that it should be a higher priority of the state to take steps to create jobs and improve Maryland’s economy, compared to only 15 percent who say the state’s higher priority should be to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, according to a poll released this weekend.

The poll – by Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies– also found that fewer than a third of Marylanders support enacting new taxes or fees to help the bay today, while 55 percent said the state should wait until economic conditions improve.

Gonzales Research asked the questions about jobs and bay cleanup during a statewide poll it conducted Jan. 13 to Jan. 17. The firm released some results publicly last week, including how Marylanders feel about economic conditions, and how Gov. Martin O’Malley and former Gov. Robert Ehrlich might fare in a potential rematch this fall.

Gonzales typically asks additional questions for paying clients – in this case, the Maryland State Builders Association – but does not release the results publicly, instead submitting a private poll memo to the clients. A complete copy of the poll was obtained by Center Maryland.

In terms of what Marylanders believe has the most negative impact on the Chesapeake Bay, 47 percent say that it’s runoff from agricultural fertilizers, 18 percent say runoff from home lawn treatments, 15 percent say commercial construction, and 5 percent say home construction. Six in 10 Marylanders said they would support a $5-per-application tax on fertilizer applications and chemical law treatments on residential properties to support Chesapeake Bay cleanup, according to the survey.

The prioritization of job creation in Maryland over protecting the Chesapeake Bay was consistent across political party, gender and race, according to the poll, including 84 percent of Democrats and 68 percent of Republicans.

Among African-American voters, 89 percent said job creation and economic growth should be a higher priority than reducing bay pollution, while only 2 percent said the bay should be the higher priority.

While the majority of Marylanders said that any new taxes and fees for Chesapeake Bay cleanup and restoration should wait until the economy improves, about a third of Marylanders said they would eventually be willing to pay up to an extra $100 per year. Another 6 percent said they would be willing to pay an extra $250 per year, and 3 percent said up to $500 per year. The poll found that 46 percent did want any additional amount.

Source

2 Bills Would Legalize Medical Marijuana


Laws would be more stringent than other states', Morhaim says

Hoping to make Maryland the 15th state in the nation to legalize medical marijuana, legislators introduced a pair of bills Tuesday in the General Assembly that would let doctors approve access to marijuana for their patients and sanction dispensaries, and even pharmacies, to distribute the drug.

The legislation would allow the use of marijuana by patients who have a "debilitating medical condition," such as seizures, severe chronic pain or severe nausea as a result of cancer treatment. They would have to register with the state and obtain marijuana from state-licensed dispensaries and pharmacies that might be interested in supplying it.

"The overarching goal is to make medical marijuana available, as would be any other serious drug to help patients, with the same protections and judicious use," said Del. Dan Morhaim, a Democrat from Baltimore County and an internist and emergency medical physician, who sponsored the legislation in the House of Delegates. Sen. David Brinkley, a Republican from Frederick, is the bill's sponsor in the Senate.

GO HERE to read more.

Lawmakers Frustrated By Disagreement Over New Stormwater Regulations

Sometime between April 2007 and now, the nearly unanimous political support for tougher stormwater regulations in Maryland evaporated, leaving developers, environmentalists, state lawmakers and administration officials at odds just a few months before the final regulations are set to take effect.

And House Environmental Matters Committee Chairwoman Maggie McIntosh wants answers.

“Somewhere in the next month we need to get back to that position [of agreement]. As close back to it as we can,” McIntosh, a Baltimore Democrat, said Tuesday at a hearing called to address the problem.

Lawmakers called for tougher water runoff regulations in 2007. The regulations, drafted subsequently by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), include strict construction standards for new development and slightly more lenient guidelines for redevelopment projects.

But questions about who would be grandfathered in under the current, more lenient regulations, and whether the proposal would undermine Smart Browth initiatives, have bubbled up with only a few months until they take effect in May.

Some developers have argued that the increased costs associated with redevelopment projects in urban areas would actually encourage them to instead look to build in more far-flung areas, leading to greater sprawl. They also charge that millions of dollars would be lost in projects that have stormwater plans that comply with existing rules already completed, but have not yet received all of their required permits to move ahead with construction.

GO HERE to read more.

Wicomico County Roads

Joe:

I would like to complement an office of the Wicomico County Government. Yesterday, while walking, I noticed that the recent rains had washed out an area along Ward Road not far from the airport. I went to the Wicomico web site to find an email address to report the problem. I found that the Superintendent of Maintenance & Construction is J. Bruce Kelly. I sent him a short email describing what I had seen and got an almost immediate response telling me that someone would check on the situation before noon. I walked again about 8:30 this morning and a repair had already been made. I'm sure one of Mr. Kelly's jobs is to save the county money and responding quickly before there was damage to the road would do that. I would like to thank Mr. Kelly for his quick and courteous response to my email and to the problem.

Jim King

The Frog And Golf

A man goes out golfing.

He is on the second hole when he notices a frog sitting next to the green.

He thinks nothing of it and is about to shoot when he hears, "Ribbit 9 Iron."

The man looks around and doesn't see anyone.
Again, he hears, "Ribbit 9 Iron."
He looks at the frog and decides to
Prove the frog wrong, puts the club
Away, and grabs a 9 iron.

Boom!

He hits it 10 inches from the cup.
He is shocked. He says to the frog,
"Wow that's amazing.

You must be a lucky frog, eh?"

The frog replies, "Ribbit Lucky frog."

The man decides to take the frog with
Him to the next hole.

"What do you think frog?" the man asks.

"Ribbit 3 wood."

The guy takes out a 3 wood and Boom!

Hole in one.

The man is befuddled and doesn't know what to say.

By the end of the day, the man golfed
The best game of golf in his life and asks the frog, "OK where to next?"

The frog replies, "Ribbit Las Vegas ."

" They go to Las Vegas and the guy says, "OK frog, now what?"

The frog says, "Ribbit Roulette."

Upon approaching the roulette table, the man asks, "What do you think I should bet?"

The frog replies, "Ribbit $3000, black 6."
Now, this is a million-to-one shot to win, but after the golf game the man figures what the heck.

Boom!
Tons of cash comes sliding back across
The table.

The man takes his winnings and buys the best room in the hotel.

He sits the frog down and says, "Frog, I don't know how to repay you. You've won me all this money and I am forever grateful."

The frog replies, "Ribbit Kiss Me. "

He figures why not, since after all the frog did for him, he deserves it.

With a kiss, the frog turns into a
Gorgeous girl.

"And that is how the girl ended up in my room Elin. So help me God or my name is not Tiger Woods."

Cold Is A Relative Thing

65 above zero:
Floridians turn on the heat..
People in Upstate New York plant gardens.

60 above zero:
Californians shiver uncontrollably.
People in Upstate New York sunbathe.

50 above zero:
Italian & English cars won't start.
People in Upstate New York drive with the windows down.

40 above zero:
Georgians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, and wool hats.
People in Upstate New York throw on a flannel shirt.

35 above zero:
New York city landlords finally turn up the heat.
People in Upstate New York have the last cookout before it gets cold.

20 above Zero:
People in Miami all die.
Upstate New Yorkers close the windows.

Zero:
Californians fly away to Mexico .
People in Upstate New York
get out their winter coats.

10 below zero:
Hollywood disintegrates.
The Girl Scouts in Upstate New York are selling cookies door to door.

20 below zero:
Washington DC runs out of hot air.
People in Upstate New York let the dogs sleep indoors.

30 below zero:
Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.
Upstate New Yorkers get upset because they can't start the snow-mobile.

40 below zero:
ALL atomic motion stops.
People in Upstate New York start saying...'cold enough fer ya?'

50 below zero:
Hell freezes over.
Upstate New York public schools will open 2 hours late.

Avoid ALL VACCINATIONS

(Copy of Email sent to all Arizona State Senate and House members)
From Dick Fojut in Tucson, AZ
9-19-9

In a one-sided "frenzy," our Major Corporate "news" Media are trying to convince us we MUST all get the SWINE FLU VACCINE, declaring the vaccine totally safe!

But NOT ONE medical expert who disagrees (Blaylock, Mercola, Horowitz, Moulden, etc.), has been reported! We should all be suspicious...

-----------------------

Avoid ALL VACCINATIONS warns Dr. Andrew Moulden
The public - and most medical doctors - do not understand HOW (all) vaccinations damage our bodies.

Dr. Andew Moulden explains that repeated VACCINATIONS (even aside from whatever ingredients the vaccines contain) produce additive ISCHEMIC "STROKES" in the 60,000 miles of microscopic blood vessels.

When the Immune System is OVER-stimulated responding to fight any foreign substance vaccine poison injected, the blood vessels (especially the tiniest ones) become CLOGGED with "armies" of white blood cells - the "soldiers" sent to combat the vaccine poison.

Result: Ischemic "strokes" from clogged blood vessels. Blood flow is impaired, preventing sufficient oxygen from reaching the brain, heart and other tissues. Removal of waste products and toxins is also impaired.

All vaccines have been causing "burns" to body and brain. The damage is additive.

GO HERE to read more.

Pence Won't Run Against Bayh For Senate


Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., said Tuesday he will not run against Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., in this year's Senate race despite polls that showed him leading the Democrat.


In an "open letter" to supporters on his Facebook page, Pence said he will seek a fifth term in the House "because I believe Republicans will win back the majority in the House of Representatives in 2010.


"He continued: "While the opportunity to serve in the United States Senate is significant, I believe the best chance this nation has to restore fiscal discipline, common sense and common values to Washington, D.C., is for conservatives to retake the House in 2010."


More.

WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON IN HAITI?

People of goodwill everywhere are rightly sympathetic to the plight of hundreds of thousands of innocent Haitians in the aftermath of the terrible earthquake that rocked the island country. Private donations and volunteer efforts are pouring into Haiti from all over the globe—especially from the United States. This is a good thing, right? So, why am I troubled?

Simply put, I cannot remember such an all-out "relief effort" by our nation's military and government forces following a natural disaster anywhere—ever! Not even New Orleans, Louisiana, and surrounding Gulf Coast communities here in the homeland received the kind of attention from Washington, D.C., that Haiti is receiving.

According to Agence France-Press (AFP), "The US military is ramping up its mission in quake-hit Haiti, with 20,000 US troops expected to operate on ground and offshore by Sunday [January 24], the US commander overseeing the region said."

No doubt, this would include ships and personnel from the USS Carl Vinson carrier group. Cost to US taxpayers to send an entire carrier group—along with more than 20,000 (so far) military personnel—to Haiti already numbers in the multiplied millions of dollars. It is also almost certain that there will be no quick exit from the island nation. There never is. In other words, our military presence (dare I say occupation?) in Haiti will doubtless last for years. At least, that's the way Latin American and European countries see it. And they are probably right.

Suffice it to say that the United States military is now completely in charge in Haiti.

At this point, it would be very enlightening for everyone to read Walter Williams' column dated January 20, 2010, entitled "Haiti's Avoidable Death Toll."

GO HERE to read more.

U.S. Asks Israel 'In No Uncertain Terms' To Refrain From Retaliatory Strikes

The United States has renewed pressure on Israel to refrain from any operation that could spark another war in the Middle East.

Government sources said the administration of President Barack Obama has renewed appeals by senior officials for Israel to refrain from massive retaliation to missile and rocket launches from either the Gaza Strip or Lebanon.

The sources said the White House warned Israel that renewed military tension in the Middle East could harm U.S. plans to withdraw from Iraq and expand the NATO stabilization campaign in Afghanistan.

"This message was relayed to Israel in no uncertain terms," a government source said.

The sources said Israeli leaders, particularly Defense Minister Ehud Barak, urged National Security Adviser James Jones to approve requests for weapons for Israel. Israel has privately complained of the administration's refusal to approve a range of requests for new military platforms and upgrades over the last year.

The White House has also relayed warnings to Israel to halt preparations for an attack on Iran and its nuclear program. The sources said Jones and other senior Obama aides have been concerned that Israel's military preparations would harm U.S. efforts to reconcile with the Teheran regime.

"As the administration sees it, U.S. arms exports to Israel have become dependent on whether this upsets Iran and the Arab world," the source said. "The fear in Washington and Europe is that Israel will do something unilaterally against Iran."

Read more here.

States' Rights Rebellion Over National Guard

Responding to an executive order by President Obama, a new push is under way for states to adopt laws limiting the use of their National Guard units unless there is an invasion, insurrection or other limited circumstance.

As WND reported, Obama's order establishes a new "Council of Governors" designated to advise on the "synchronization and integration of state and federal military activities in the United States."

The recent order, posted on the White House website, was accompanied by the explanation that the group is to work "to protect our nation against all types of hazards." It comes just weeks after the president issued a similarly obscure order vastly expanding INTERPOL's privileges in the U.S.

The White House said the new council is to include governors and administration officials to review "such matters as involving the National Guard of the various states; homeland defense, civil support; synchronization and integration of state and federal military activities in the United States; and other matters of mutual interest pertaining to National Guard, homeland defense, and civil support activities."

Now the Tenth Amendment Center is recommending a model legislation that states can use to limit the activities of their own National Guard members.

The model legislation states: "The governor shall withhold or withdraw approval of the transfer of the National Guard to federal control in the absence of: a) A military invasion of the United States, or b) An insurrection, or c) A calling forth of the guard by the federal government in a manner provided for by Congress to execute the laws of the union, provided that said laws were made in pursuance of the delegated powers in the Constitution of the United States, or d) A formal declaration of war from Congress."

Read more.

Virginia Senate Committee Approves Bills Banning Healthcare Mandates

The full Virginia Senate will now debate whether state residents will be held to possible federal mandates on health insurance after a series of bills passed the chamber’s commerce and labor committee.

On Jan. 25, by an 8-to-7 vote, the committee passed three similar bills, all rejecting any possible mandate on individuals to secure health insurance. Such a mandate could come as a result of ongoing negotiations in the U.S. House and Senate to combine their respective bills into one comprehensive health reform measure for the president’s signature.

The Virginia bills were sponsored by three Republican members of the committee – Stephen H. Martin (SB 311), Frederick M. Quayle (SB 283) and Jill Holtzman Vogel (SB 417) – and featured similar language banning any federal mandates for coverage, as well as exempting state residents from any “penalty, assessment, fee or fine” as a result of failing to secure insurance.

Similar bills are being proposed in the Virginia House of Delegates, including the Virginia Health Care Freedom Act (HB 10), filed by Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-13th District).

Read more..

Senate Rejects Obama Deficit Commission

The Senate Tuesday rejected a plan backed by President Barack Obama to create a bipartisan task force to tackle the federal deficit this year despite glaring new figures showing the enormity of the red-ink threat.

The special deficit panel would have attempted to produce a plan combining tax cuts and spending curbs that would have been voted on after the midterm elections. The measure went down because anti-tax Republicans joined with Democrats who were wary of being railroaded into cutting Social Security and Medicare.

The Senate vote to kill the deficit task force came just hours after the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicted a $1.35 trillion deficit for this year as the economy continues to slowly recover from the recession.

The report sees unemployment averaging 10.1 percent this year as the economy grows by just over 2 percent. It would grow only slightly more next year with an unemployment rate of 9.5 percent.

It's a sobering reminder of the fundamental imbalance of the federal government's budget that comes just days before Obama's Feb. 1 budget submission. The White House says Obama will propose a three-year freeze on domestic agency budgets, though the savings would barely make a dent. It hasn't said whether Obama will proposes tax hikes or cuts to spiraling benefit programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

More..

Former WMD Chief: Al-Qaida Awaiting Nukes

A new report by retired longtime intelligence officer Rolf Mowatt-Larssen, who served as chief of the CIA’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Department, accuses the U.S. government of seriously misreading al-Qaida’s operational objectives.

“Al-Qaida’s reasoning,” according to Mowatt-Larssen's new report from Harvard’s Kennedy School, “runs counter to analytic convention that equates the ease of acquisition of chemical, biological or radiological weapons with an increasing likelihood of terrorist use — i.e., a terrorist attack employing crude weapons is therefore more likely than an attack using a nuclear or large scale biological weapon.”

“In fact, it is the opposite” of that conventional wisdom, according to the analysis, entitled “Al-Qaida Weapons of Mass Destruction Threat: Hype or Reality.” Al-Qaida’s motivations suggest “the greatest threat is posed by the most effective and simple means of mass destruction, whether these means consist of nuclear, biological, or other forms of asymmetric weapons.”

That makes all the scarier the scolding that came this week from the congressionally authorized Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation. That panel gave the Obama administration an F grade for its performance in preparing the U.S. homeland for a terrorist attack that utilized biological warfare.

Mowatt-Larssen was stationed in Moscow and other critical venues in the course of his long career gathering intelligence. The details he provides of al-Qaida’s scheming in this report are nothing short of chilling.

More..

Poll: Fox Most Trusted Name In News

Fox is the most trusted television news network in the country, according to a new poll out Tuesday.

A Public Policy Polling nationwide survey of 1,151 registered voters Jan. 18-19 found that 49 percent of Americans trusted Fox News, 10 percentage points more than any other network.
Thirty-seven percent said they didn’t trust Fox, also the lowest level of distrust that any of the networks recorded.

There was a strong partisan split among those who said they trusted Fox — with 74 percent of Republicans saying they trusted the network, while only 30 percent of Democrats said they did.
CNN was the second-most-trusted network, getting the trust of 39 percent of those polled. Forty-one percent said they didn’t trust CNN.

Each of the three major networks was trusted by less than 40 percent of those surveyed, with NBC ranking highest at 35 percent. Forty-four percent said they did not trust NBC, which was combined with its sister cable station MSNBC.

Thirty-two percent of respondents said they trusted CBS, while 31 percent trusted ABC. Both CBS and ABC were not trusted by 46 percent of those polled.

“A generation ago you would have expected Americans to place their trust in the most neutral and unbiased conveyors of news,” said PPP President Dean Debnam in his analysis of the poll. “But the media landscape has really changed, and now they’re turning more toward the outlets that tell them what they want to hear.”

The telephone poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0110/32039.html#ixzz0dor3q4hG

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases



On January 26, 2010 at approximately 2:47 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the area of E. Main St. and North Salisbury Boulevard for the report of an assault. Upon arrival the officers met with the victim, an adult female who advised that she had been assaulted by a male friend. The victim advised that they had been arguing and while walking in the area of Broad Street the suspect pushed her down onto the ground and took an amount of U.S. currency from her. Officers located the suspect several blocks away and arrested the suspect without incident. The victim was transported to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries to her hands and knees.

ARRESTED: Paul Linwood Wilson, 32 years of age
Delmar, Maryland
CHARGES: Second degree assault
Robbery
Reckless endangerment (2 counts)
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201000003838

On January 26, 2010 at approximately 11:20 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect on an outstanding arrest warrant for theft. Investigators obtained the arrest warrant following the investigation of the theft from a local music business which was reported on January 20, 2010. The investigation revealed that the suspect had purchased music equipment on several occasions from the store with fraudulent checks for the purpose of selling the equipment. A quantity of the stolen music equipment was recovered for return to the business.

ARRESTED: Zachary Christopher Hufnell, 21 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Theft (under $ 1000)
Theft scheme (under $ 1000)
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC# 201000002919

On January 26, 2010 at approximately 5:38 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police were on routine patrol in the area of Snow Hill Road and received information from a witness regarding a juvenile spray painting a business. The officers responded to the Pepsi building on Snow Hill Road and observed the below listed suspect spray painting the side of the building. The subject fled but was apprehended after a foot chase. The juvenile was spray painting obscenities on the building and the damage to the building was in excess of $ 500.00.

ARRESTED: Juvenile, 12 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Malicious Destruction of Property
DISPOSITION: Released to parent
CC# 20100000 3956

On January 26, 2010 at approximately 6:20 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to an apartment on Fairground Drive for the report of a juvenile assaulting a family member. Upon arrival it was found that the below listed suspect had become involved in an altercation with a family member following an argument. The altercation resulted in the suspect burning property of the family member’s on the stove of the apartment and the suspect assaulting his mother.

ARRESTED: Juvenile, 15 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: First degree malicious burning
Malicious destruction of property
Second degree assault (3 counts)
Reckless endangerment
DISPOSITION: Detained by Juvenile Justice
CC # 201000003954

US NAVY SILENT DRILL TEAM


About three years ago, our US Navy Ceremonial Guard Silent Drill Team was invited to compete in an International Tattoo in Norway.

The Navy competed against military units from all over NATO and won first place.

Once you see the video you'll understand why they won.

TWENTY DOLLARS

On their wedding night, the young bride approached her new husband and asked for $20.00 for their first lovemaking encounter. In his highly aroused state, her husband readily agreed.

This scenario was repeated each time they made love, for more than 30 years, with him thinking that it was a cute way for her to afford new clothes and other incidentals that she needed.

Arriving home around noon one day, she was surprised to find her husband in a very drunken state. During the next few minutes, he explained that his employer was going through a process of corporate downsizing, and he had been let go. It was unlikely that, at the age of 59, he'd be able to find another position that paid anywhere near what he'd been earning, and therefore, they were financially ruined.

Calmly, his wife handed him a bank book which showed more than thirty years of steady deposits and interest totaling nearly$1 million. Then she showed him certificates of deposits issued by the bank which were worth over $2 million, and informed him that they were one of the largest depositors in the bank.

She explained that for the more than three decades she had 'charged' him for sex, these holdings had multiplied and these were the results of her savings and investments.

Faced with evidence of cash and investments worth over $3 million, her husband was so astounded he could barely speak, but finally he found his voice and blurted out, 'If I'd had any idea what you were doing, I would have given you all my business!'

That's when she shot him.

You know, sometimes, men just don't know when to keep their mouths shut.

DMV To Implement Major Upgrades

Renovations to all DMV Locations Needed to Meet New Federal Security Requirements

Dover
-- The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces that effective February 1, 2010, all four Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) facilities will be undergoing major interior construction as the DMV enhances the physical security of its facilities and upgrades the document issuance process. These new enhancements are required by federal law and are being funded by a grant from the federal Department of Homeland Security. Construction is expected to last approximately 45 days.

"What will be provided through these upgrades is a more secure issuance process for driver license and identification documents," DMV Director Jennifer Cohan explains, "Services will become more efficient and the DMV will be sporting a newer, modern look, and customers will be afforded a sense of privacy with individualized consultations at each remodeled station. The new process will be more streamlined and will reduce the time and inconvenience of customers having to stand in unnecessary lines to complete a licensing or identification transaction."

The renovations of the facilities and upgrades to the issuance system will result in:

1. Integration of the DMV's systems and databases to create a seamless driver license/identification card (DL/ID) issuance process.
2. Photographs will be taken at the beginning of the issuance process to eliminate attempts to obtain fraudulent identity.
3. Conducting facial recognition checks in real time before a driver license/identification card is issued to ensure customers' identities are protected.
4. The ability to offer federally compliant driver licenses/identification cards to our customers which will enable them to board commercial airliners, enter federal facilities, and conduct certain federal business.
5. Increased privacy for customers while handling sensitive information exchange.
6. The physical security of the printing and distribution of the driver license and identification documents as well as all of the related consumables.

During the construction process, customers may experience construction-related inconveniences at its facilities, and it is recommended that all non-essential licensing and registration business be conducted prior to or after construction. Driver license renewals can be processed up to 60 days prior to their expiration date, and vehicle renewals can be processed up to 90 days prior to expiration. Vehicle inspection processes will not be affected by the construction and drive-through renewal services will continue to provide expedited services.
The renovations will include demolition, carpentry, drywall, casework, painting, and flooring. Some service interruptions will be possible and may vary by facility. While focusing on improving our processes, we will try to minimize the inconvenience customers will experience during construction.

Castle Construction of New Castle, Delaware, will be performing the work at the New Castle location with a bid amount of $275,691, and the Dover location with a bid of $360,268. Joshi Construction of Hockessin, Delaware, will be performing the work at both the Wilmington and Georgetown locations with successful bids of $107,154, and $98,445 respectively. All accepted bids were under engineer's estimates.

The locations of these facilities are:

New Castle Division of Motor Vehicles
161 Airport Road
New Castle, Delaware 19720

Greater Wilmington Division of Motor Vehicles
2230 Hessler Boulevard
New Castle, Delaware 19720

Dover Division of Motor Vehicles
303 Transportation Circle
P.O. Box 698
Dover, Delaware 19903

Georgetown Division of Motor Vehicles
23737 DuPont Blvd.
Georgetown, Delaware 19947

It is suggested that customers regularly consult the DMV web site for construction information and updates at: http://www.dmv.de.gov . Many of the regular DMV services can be accomplished online.

SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION AGENDA


JANUARY 29, 2010
CONFERENCE ROOM 306
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING
(Times shown for agenda items are estimates only)


9:30 a.m. Beaglin Park Drive/Beaglin Green (formerly Paul Elliott) Annexation – John Pick/Chris Jakubiak

10:00 a.m. Follow-up discussion - adopting a new Annexation Fee Schedule – John
Pick/Chris Jakubiak

10:30 a.m. Follow-up discussion - adopting policies on the uses for annexation funds
generated for neighborhood reinvestment and workforce housing – John Pick/Chris Jakubiak

11:00 a.m. Endorsing the revitalization of the Richardson Apartment House (known as
“The Bricks”) – LorĂ© Chambers/Nancy Rase

11:30 a.m. Briefing on Information Technology Study – John Pick/Hugh Livingston

12.00 p.m. Urban Salisbury Quarterly Report – Allan Hope

12:20 p.m. Marina Committee Quarterly Report – Dorine Turner

12:40 p.m. General discussion/upcoming agendas

12:45 p.m. Adjourn